Scutellaria galericulata

RHS Plant Profile
common skullcap

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Other common names

hooded willowherb

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Herbaceous Perennial Aquatic
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A vigorous, rapidly spreading herbaceous perennial to a height of up to 70cm, with either rounded or narrow, oblong green leaves. Sometimes they are hairy and sometimes smooth. The blue flowers have a paler lower lip white bases and centres, and are carried on green stems tinged with purple. They are borne from June until September

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Lamiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Scutellaria are annuals, herbaceous perennials or sub-shrubs with opposite pairs of leaves and blue, violet, yellow or white, two-lipped, tubular flowers borne in the leaf axils or in terminal spikes
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Ideal for pond edges, streamsides and soil that stays damp all year. Plant with up to 2cm of water covering the crowns, in full sun or partial shade. See pond plants and bog gardens for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn or spring, or by seed in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required other than cutting back the old growth at the end of the year

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free