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Scutellaria integrifolia (helmet skullcap)
For a slightly more compact option with a bit of "spring-to-summer" flair, Helmet Skullcap
is your go-to. Topping out at around 1–2 feet, this charming perennial is famous for its large, violet-blue blooms that feature a distinct white "landing pad" for its favorite bee visitors.
You’ll typically find it hanging out in moist meadows or open pine woods, but it’s surprisingly adaptable to average garden soil as long as it gets some sun. It has a lovely clumping habit and, like its cousins, features those iconic seed capsules that look like tiny medieval helmets—perfect for adding a little bit of whimsy (and a lot of ecological value) to the front of your flower beds.
photo by Judy Gallagher
Scutellaria integrifolia (helmet skullcap)
type: perennial sun needs: full to part sun water needs: moist to dry soil height: 1-2' plant spacing: 1/sq ft bloom time: May-July bloom color: Blue-purple Deer resistant (please note that does not mean deer proof). Can grow in a container
Plant this to attract hummingbirds. Supports at-risk wildlife: It supports specialized pollinators that are increasingly rare due to habitat loss.
