Oriental Skullcap

Scutellaria orientalis is a distinctive and underused alpine that brings a touch of the Exotic to the rock garden. It has a prostrate, spreading habit with small, grey-green, deeply veined and slightly hairy leaves. From early to mid-summer, it produces dense, terminal spikes of highly unusual flowers. The flowers are bi-coloured, with a yellow hood and a prominent, contrasting lip that is often marked with brownish-orange or purple. This species is native to the sunny, stony slopes of the Mediterranean and Central Asia, meaning it requires excellent drainage and a very sunny position to thrive and flower well in the UK. It is quite drought-tolerant once established and its trailing stems make it highly effective when allowed to spill over the edge of a raised bed or a container. It is a hardy perennial, though it may benefit from protection from extreme winter wet in colder, wetter regions.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, gritty soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul, Aug.