Skullcap Pink

Scuttellaria suffrutescens

Characteristics

Culture

Skullcap Pink grows best in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some light afternoon shade. Performs well in hot and humid climates. Evergreen to semi-evergreen in its frost-free habitat where it will often self-seed to form a dense ground cover. Some above-ground stems usually die back in winter in the northern parts of its growing range, but roots will push up new stems in spring. Winter hardy to USDA Zone 7, but may survive some winters in Zone 6 if sited in sheltered locations with winter protection. Self-seeding is not expected in cold winter climates. May be grown as an annual.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Scutellaria suffrutescens, commonly known as skullcap, is a low-growing, woody-based, herbaceous perennial in the mint family. It features tiny, tubular, two-lipped, snapdragon-like, pink to rose flowers, to ¾ inch which bloom non-stop from May to October atop square stems clad with small, oval-rounded, thyme-like, gray-green foliage. Plants typically grow in a dense but compact spreading mound to 8” tall and to 15” wide. This skullcap is native to northern Mexico. Common name of skullcap is in reference to the shape of the flowers and seed capsules which purportedly resemble the military helmets worn by men in the Middle Ages.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Sun-loving ground cover for border fronts, rock gardens, dry slopes, walkways and edging. Spill over walls. Xeriscape beds. Mixed containers.