Culture
Grow in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates drought. Flower stalks may be removed after bloom.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Scutellaria resinosa is a non-aromatic member of the mint family. Common names for this perennial include resinous skullcap, sticky skullcap, shrubby skullcap and prairie skullcap. It is native primarily to rocky or sandy soils in short to medium grass prairies from Kansas and Colorado south to New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico. It is a woody-based perennial that typically grows to 4-10” tall on upright, branching, square stems clad with resinous, minutely pubescent, oval to rounded, gray-green leaves (to 3/4” long). Tubular, two-lipped, blue-violet flowers bloom from late spring into summer.
Genus name comes from the Latin word scutella meaning a small dish or saucer in reference to the shape of the persistent calyx after the flowers fade.
‘Smoky Hills’ features deep purple-blue flowers tipped with white. Plants were discovered growing in the Smoky Hills of Kansas.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Powdery mildew and leaf spot may occur. Watch for aphids.
Uses
Rock gardens, borders, meadows, cottage gardens, native plant gardens and open woodland areas. Mass as a ground cover.