Scutellaria lateriflora
Mad dog skullcap, Madweed, Virginian skullcap
- Height × spread
- 0.8m × 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This makes an attractive clump of roughly triangular leaves with neatly toothed edges and impressed veins. Above this solid and attractive foliage clump arise slim, often curved flowering stalks. These carry flowers on one side. The flowers are individually small that are generally coloured in lilac, pink and white shades. They are occasionally seen coloured blue with a pale lip. This flowers for a long period in summer going into early autumn. This is a moisture-loving plant that is found growing in boggy positions and in water up to 1.5cm in depth in parts of the USA and Canada. It could thus be attractive grown at the edge of ponds or streams.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.8m
- Spread
- 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Up to 1.5cm
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Found in
More Scutellaria
Scutellaria
Skullcap, Helmet flower
Scutellaria altissima
Tallest skullcap
Scutellaria incana
Hoary skullcap
Scutellaria orientalis
Eastern skullcap
Scutellaria scordiifolia 'Seoul Sapphire'
Scorium-leaved skullcap
Scutellaria suffrutescens 'Texas Rose'
Shrubby skullcap
Scutellaria tournefortii
Tournefort's skullcap