Side Flowering Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

A low growing plant that loves moisture. Ideal for sunny wet spots this perennial is hardy to zone 4. It will grow in most soil types and even tolerate semi dry soils but then it may act as an annual rather than a perennial. Low growing with bright green leaves and small blue flowers that open along one side of long stems that grow from all the leaf nodes. Can form sprawling colonies and root along the stems in suitable moist soil making a good ground cover. The leaves are bitter so wildlife don't eat them but bumblebees and hummingbirds love the flowers. Easy to grow and takes very little maintenance once established, just cut down all the dead stuff in winter. Powerful nervine herb that is used to treat myriad of nervous complaints great little plant to have around the garden.

Description of Side flowering Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora).
Perennial plant hardy to zone 4 dies back in winter. In spring the bright green shoots appear and produce a branching sometimes upright sometimes slightly sprawling plant about 24 inches (61cm) tall. Long thin square stems support opposite pairs of leaves throughout its length. These differ in size and shape. The lower leaves, which were first to form in spring are larger bright green and about 2.5 inches (6.2 cm) long and 1.5 inches (3.7cm) wide, scalloped edges, ovate in shape with pointed tips. These leaves tend to wilt away my mid summer leaving only the smaller leaves on the erect stems. These tend to me smaller and more lance shaped. all eaves have deep noticeable veins giving them strong character.
Flower stalks arise from the leaf nodes as long slightly curved 'branches' up to 6 inches (15.24 cm) long and support a line of flowers. Each flower is about 0.3 inches (8mm) in length and is basically tubular in both the corolla and calyx (petals and base) and appears trumpet shaped. This 'petal tube' can be pale blue, lavender or white with blue being the most common color. Flowers are on only one side of the stem giving rise to the common name 'side flowering'. Flowers open in ones and twos along the stem with no apparent pattern. They are followed by small brown seed capsules. The whole plant is bitter tasting.

Growing Side flowering Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) from Seed.
Seeds need a period of cold before they will germinate. All our seeds are kept cold before shipping so this process is already started. Place seeds in the refrigerator as soon as they arrive and keep them their until ready to sow. Many sources suggest that moist stratification is necessary before seeds will germinate. We have found that most seeds will germinate if just kept cold enough before sowing. However not all seeds will germinate this way. If you want to ensure very high germination then moist stratify before planting see our Stratification instructions to determine the best method for you. Germination is always slow and erratic even after moist stratification so be patient.

Sow seeds in small pots or cell trays so each seed has its own space. This way those that germinate first can be transplanted without disturbing the still slumbering seed-mates. Give them good light, warmth and keep moist. Transplant to larger pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on until about 3 inches (7.6cm) in height before transplanting out after danger of frost has past.

Seeds can be sown in later autumn if desired. Ensure the area is clear of all weeds and scatter the seeds on the cleaned earth then cover with a light coating of soil. Skullcap seeds are very small and its often difficult to remove weed seedlings from around small plants if this method is used, its easy to pull out your plants along with the faster growing spring weeds. We recommend starting indoors for a sure way to get good plants.

Full sun. This plant likes moisture, its native habitat is swamps, bogs and other wet places. It will grow in other areas provided enough water is supplied so if you have well draining soil run a soaker hose along the line of plants to give them extra water. Adding more organic material to the soil and a layer of mulch to the surface to help keep the moisture is also recommended.
If you have a sunny wet or damp spot in your garden then this is the place to plant skullcap. It will also do well in rain gardens provided there is sufficient rainfall throughout the summer months. If not it will need watering.
Tolerates almost all soil types but does best on those that retain water. Needs full sun but can tolerate some light shade in warmer zones. If growing as warm as zone 9 then more water and shade will be necessary.
If the location is too dry Skullcap may act as an annual and die at the end of the year.
Due to its bitter nature its not eaten by wildlife.

Especially liked by bumblebees and sweat bees who can reach the pollen in the small tubes. Hummingbirds also frequent the flowers. wildlife does not eat it due to bitter flavour.

As a herb it is harvest when the plant is in full flower. Harvest to about 4 inches from the ground and the plant may regenerate and produce a second harvest.
For cut flowers. Chose stems that have just begin to open, strip off the foliate and place in water immediate. makes good filler flower.

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Considered by many to be one of the finest nervine ever discovered. It is used to treat a wide variety of nerve related disorders including insomnia, nervous tension, nervousness, convulsions, sleeplessness, anxiety, epilepsy, neuralgia, depression and premenstrual syndrome. It is also used as a form or tranquilizer to help calm tremors of the nerves from drug and alcohol withdrawal as well as nourish the nervous system. Its bitter qualities also strengthen and stimulate digestion, promote suppressed menstruation, relieve breast pain and encourage expulsion of the placenta. It was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia as a tranquilizer as well as the National Formulary until 1947. This leads to its name 'official skullcap' since its listed as the one to use.

The common name skullcap refers to the resemblance of the flowers to the helmets worn by some soldiers during the middle ages. The name Mad Dog comes from its reported use to treat rabies, however it is unclear if this treatment actually worked.

Scullcap, Mad Dog, Blue Skullcap, Virginia Skullcap, Hood Root, Helmut Flower, Hoodwort. mad dog skullcap,and side-flowering skullcap, official skullcap