Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
$12.00
Mature Plant Size: 6-12″x8-18″
Purple Skullcap (Scutellaria wrightii), also called Wright’s Skullcap or Shrubby Skullcap, is a tidy, mounding Texas native groundcover about 6 to 12 inches tall. Light blue to violet, snapdragon-like flowers open from March through July over small gray-green, evergreen leaves. Heat and drought tolerant, it is a fine filler for small bare spots and a good nectar source for butterflies and bees.
Our Purple Skullcap transplants are grown for compact, well-rooted growth and a long bloom season suited to Austin rock gardens, borders, and containers.
1 in stock
Low water needs once established; tolerates a little extra moisture
Avoid soggy roots for long periods
No fertilizer needed
Cut back by about half after bloom to keep plants compact
Light shearing in spring keeps it dense
No other regular maintenance
Root rot in heavy or poorly drained soil
Minimal deer resistance; rabbits and deer may nibble
Few insect or disease problems
Native to the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairie, so well suited to Austin’s limestone soils; sources list hardiness for USDA Zones 8-11
Plants in part shade can live for years; evergreen in most Austin winters
For best results plant in a raised bed or rock garden if your soil is heavy clay
Bloom begins in March; shear lightly if needed
Peak bloom to July; cut back by half after flowering
Re-establish plantings; fall is an excellent planting window
Evergreen; foliage may brown slightly in hard freezes but recovers
Fall (preferred) or spring
Ideal soil temperatures: 55-80 F
Full sun to part shade
Tolerates bright shade; best bloom in full sun
12-18 inches apart
Allows for mature size (6-12 inches tall, 8-18 inches wide)
Well-draining soil; shallow limestone and sandy soils are ideal
Poor in heavy, wet clay
pH 6.5-8.0
Water at planting
Water weekly for the first 4-6 weeks
Very low water once established
Purple Skullcap (Scutellaria wrightii) is not commonly listed by the ASPCA toxicity database, so no verdict is available either way. As a general precaution, keep an eye on pets around any unlisted plant and discourage grazing.
Original price was: $4.00.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
