About

A woody-based, rhizomatous perennial with rooting stems and deeply-toothed, dark green leaves. In summer it produces dense, upright sprays of bright yellow, hooded, tubular flowers up to 3cm long.

About the 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

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in light, well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun or light shade. In very cold areas apply a deep winter mulch
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in autumn, or by division in autumn or spring, or by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free