Appalachian Blue Skullcap

Scutellaria x 'Appalachian Blues'

American Beauties®

Native Hybrid Blue Skullcap with Bicolor Blooms that Magnetize Butterflies and Honeybees
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Blue Blooms From Late Spring to Early Summer
Native, Pollinator-Friendly Perennial

$37⁶⁸

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give this plant a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to ensure the most vibrant flower color and sturdy stems. While it can handle a bit of light shade, too much shadow will lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
Soil: Plant in well-drained soil, as wet feet can be fatal to Skullcap. If you are working with heavy clay, amend the area with compost or plant in a raised bed to improve drainage and air circulation around the roots.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to help the root system establish itself. Once established, Appalachian Blue Skullcap is surprisingly drought-tolerant, though consistent moisture during dry spells helps prevent stress and keeps the foliage looking fresh.

Pruning Tips

You should prune this plant in late winter before new growth begins to emerge for the season. Cut the old stems back to a few inches above the ground to clear out dead material and encourage vigorous new stems that will carry this season's flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as new green growth appears. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the season, as these encourage leafy green growth at the expense of flowers and can delay dormancy.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Pollinator-friendly Appalachian Blue Skullcap (Scutellaria x 'Appalachian Blues') is a wonderfully hardy perennial that grows in sun or shade conditions. Fragrant bicolor blue and white flowers bloom high atop dainty foliage.

You'll feel good about adding these darling native plants to your garden…their "little dish-shaped" flowers are a real favorite with honeybees and butterflies! Go ahead and lose count of how many butterflies come to visit the pretty, delicate spires of violet blooms.

Planting and Application:

Developed by esteemed Peter Heus, Appalachian Blue Skullcap is a well-behaved native cultivar cross of Scutellaria serrata and Scutellaria ovata with a mounding habit that won't spread or run rampant. The dark green foliage features serrated edges and deeply textured veining.

Add to a shady planting with Lamium and Sweetspire. Read our blog with more helpful Shade Garden plant recipes to consider.
Use as an enticing, nectar-rich "Filler" in Salsa Garden patio pots, or tuck them near the edge of your backyard veggie garden. If you want plenty of homegrown fruits and vegetables…you'll need pollinators nearby.
For small lots, Appalachian Blue Skullcap is very desirable with an extended season of bloom. Mix them into your garden borders as a lovely summertime display.
Excellent in both Butterfly and Pollinator Gardens, this showy Skullcap provides an attractive, cool-toned counterpoint. It stays small enough to use near the edge of your plantings…all the better to study the tiny, tubular blue flowers!
Skullcap is also a medicinal herb used in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and by the Native Americans. Perennial Appalachian Blue brings a pert and pretty presentation that you can count on year after year.

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Luckily, Appalachian Blue Skullcap grows in any sun condition…from full sun to partial shade and shade. It's best if they receive at least two hours of sunlight a day.

This cold hardy perennial prefers well-drained soil. Use symbiotic Nature Hills Root Booster in the planting hole, and add a light layer of mulch over the roots.
Although Skullcap will survive periodic drought once established; we recommend a moderate schedule of water. Get expert watering tips from the NatureHills.com Horticulture Team.
Wait until early spring to trim back the dried foliage. Deadhead as needed to extend the season of bloom.

Botanical Name

Scutellaria x 'Appalachian Blues'
Class

Lamiales
Species

x
Cultivar

Appalachian Blues
Growing Zones

4-8
Height

1-2 ft
Width

1-2 ft
Sunlight

Full sun
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

Blue
Leaf Color

Green
Native

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Early Summer
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 4-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mature height and spread of Appalachian Blue Skullcap?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap grows 12-18 inches tall with a similar spread, forming a neat mounding habit. This well-behaved native cultivar won't spread aggressively like some perennials. Plant it near garden edges where you can easily observe the delicate tubular flowers and visiting pollinators.

Does Appalachian Blue Skullcap grow well in full sun or does it prefer shade?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap thrives in any sun condition from full sun to shade. This adaptable perennial performs best with at least two hours of daily sunlight. Plant it confidently in mixed borders or shade gardens available at naturehills.com.

What type of soil does Appalachian Blue Skullcap need—does it tolerate dry or wet conditions?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap prefers well-drained soil and doesn't tolerate consistently wet conditions. This hardy perennial adapts to various soil types but performs best when drainage is adequate. Avoid planting in areas where water collects or soil stays soggy after rain.

When does Appalachian Blue Skullcap bloom, and how long does the bloom last?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap blooms throughout summer with an extended flowering season. The fragrant bicolor blue and white flowers appear on delicate spires above the foliage. Plant in sun to shade for reliable, long-lasting blooms that attract pollinators all season long.

Is Appalachian Blue Skullcap deer or rabbit resistant?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap is generally deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage, though rabbits may occasionally browse young plants. The fragrant leaves typically deter most wildlife while still attracting beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees. Shop at Nature Hills for this hardy native perennial that thrives in sun or shade.

How do I care for Appalachian Blue Skullcap—should I deadhead or cut back?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap is wonderfully low-maintenance and doesn't require deadheading to keep blooming. This well-behaved native perennial maintains its neat mounding habit naturally. Simply cut back spent flower stems in late fall or early spring to tidy up the planting.

Is Appalachian Blue Skullcap shipped bare root or potted, and what size plants are available?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap is typically shipped as potted perennial plants rather than bare root. The exact pot sizes and plant dimensions vary by season and availability. Check the product page for current sizing options and shipping details before ordering.

How is Appalachian Blue Skullcap packaged for shipping, and does it arrive healthy?

Appalachian Blue Skullcap ships as a healthy potted plant, not bare root, ensuring the root system stays protected during transit. The well-established plants typically arrive ready to transplant and establish quickly in your garden. Plant immediately upon arrival or keep watered in a sunny spot until you're ready.