I could put it in a pot then leave it in the garage and put some straw over it, no room in the house too many people, we hardly have walking room lol I want to try it and I may be able to put some by the driveway, I'm trying 'hot lips' (salvia) this year by the driveway and I think it is z8, I think. I know it's out of my zone anyway. That hot lips and your skull cap would be really pretty together :)
Do you grow Skullcap where you live?
You know, you mentioned the blacktop changing the growing climate for some plants? You actually could do that anywhere with rocks and some skullcaps are suited to rock gardening.
Quoting:
Scutellaria
This genus in the mint family has well over 300 species, most of them are perennial herbs or small shrubs. but a few are annuals or even aquatic species.
They have four angled stems and opposite leaves. The flowers have upper and lower lips, much like Penstemons.
Plants fall into three groups when used in the garden:
1) Rock garden plants for full sun and blooming mostly in the summer. They should be grown in well drained, even rocky soil and they like a calcareous loamy soil mix. These low growing plants need sun and dry conditions to do their best. S. alpine, S. baicalensis, S. orientalis, S. scordiifolia, S.indica.
2) Perennial boarder plants for sun to open shade, they are often sun loving plants but a few are woodland species. S. altissima, S. incana.
3) Large coarse plants for natralizing in a wild flower garden type setting. S. lateriflora.
Most of the species do not like rich organic soils, so do not over feed. When starting the seeds use a soil mix with generous amounts of coarse grit and do not over water. Soak seeds for 24 hours before sowing.
I've been aiming to make a rock garden for a while now, just don't know if I have the time to devote to it, we have that lovely clay soil and I would like some medium sized rocks I traded this guy some irises for some creek rock last fall maybe he will bring me some cool rock from the creek this spring. I just hope some of them aren't too heavy for me to lift, you probably have a dh to help you I need to find one of those somewhere too lol I bought some nice sedums last year for when I get it made if I ever do :)
Lea If you shop for a DH ~ make sure he is a kindred spirit.
I have one that doesn't mind my doing but he's not to hep to help. I have a little red wagon to move heavier stuff around. You can also drag things on a tarp. You can use a pole for leverage to roll big rocks. I have also used a two wheeler (dolly ) to move rocks. All kinds of ways around it... determination!
I have a son here that likes to watch too lol I'll pass on a dh been there and done that it's not worth the trouble lol I have ways of lifting things too lol
Hey Kristi! Another late night for me. Whoopee....I get to browse threads.
Skullcap is a nice perennial here in the Houston area. It seems to bloom from spring to fall. I've only planted one variety which was pulled up accidentally by my landscape guys but it was doing great until then. Mine (I had 3) was about 2 1/2 years old. I noticed that a good watering once a week was about all it required. Hot summer months...twice per week. I just used ozmacote on it and it was happy.
I miss my skullcap. Note to self....gotta get more.
Hi Kristi ~ looks like sleepless nights again? I'm sorry ~ I have sleepless mornings myself.
Tell me what kind of skullcap you grew? It would be just like a lawn service to think this was a weed! This is really an unusual plant with such a wide variety of types but not many people are even familiar with it. I am still discovering!
Hi Pod!
I wish I could tell you what kind it was but my memory fails me. I loved it though.
podster, I love that name lol I found a skullcap in the pots I have outside while I was cleaning them up, when I know for sure that it's going to come back I will send it to you :-) It's just not showing any green yet but they always come back when I have them in pots for the spring. Watch this time it won't lol
Oh, I forgot to tell you, you said you had a little red wagon, I'm using the one that I had when I was a kid and let's just say I'm not a kid anymore and the poor red wagon is red anymore it's rusted lol But it works! lol
Lea
LeBug ~ I love little red wagons, we have three the oldest one has seen much abuse and has been rebuilt a few times. DH liked it so well he bought a macho one for him. Then, I picked up a newer model with wooden side rails. All of them get used. They are more stable than a wheelbarrow and will move the weight!
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/630518/
Yep, I do all of those things with mine too :-) The only trouble with mine that I've had is putting new bolts on the wheels, I use it more than the wheelbarrow lol I have yet to find something to make it easier to go up and down this hilly ground that I have though, every flower bed is on a hill seems that I'm always pulling it up a hill lol I need an attachment for my riding lawnmower! I think that will be my next purchase.
HI Blue Glancer! I am so delighted to find blooms on the Scutellaria you sent. It is very pretty ~ Thank You!
I love mine. I think I have 4 now. The color is just so different. Like a hot pink. : )
~Lucy
It is beautiful, I can't thank you enough and hope to repay you some day! : ))
You already have. You sent me seeds. I'm not having any good luck with them tho. I planted half of them, and the weather was still changing back and forth and nothing came up. I'm gonna try again this week, since it's alot warmer now.
Wish me luck. : )
~Lucy
BlueGlancer, they take a while to come up I soaked mine in H202 before I planted mine and they still took a while to come up my yellow is just now starting to germinate so wait a long while before you throw them out.
Podster mine finally germinated when they get a little bigger I will send them might not be until fall with no rain they aren't growing very fast. Mine did come up in the garden but the two plants I have in pots haven't come up yet not sure if they will I'll keep you updated :-)
LeBug,....didn't you say you wanted one of my hot pink? I have an extra.
~Lucy
At the rate I am going, I will have extra too... LOL. I have two pots which I am now trying to root.
Some of the seeds didn't sprout yet for me either. I think they need the "cold" treatment. Some of the little skullcap plants look good and others ... well... look pitiful. If I can just get a few blooms, we will have more seeds for next year.
Before I attempt planting the seeds again, I'm gonna see if I can find some more info that might better my odds. I think I over stared at them, and scared them. LOL : )
Reminds me of the watched pot never boiling? LOL
"watched pot never boiling?" that's the way I feel with my seed trays I still have 18 going and try to ignore so they will start to germinate but that's hard to do when you have to water them all of the time lol
Lucy if you have an extra I'll take it I've been eyeing a place by the road that hasn't filled out yet maybe it will survive there mine are starting to come up little by little I'll hold you one back and what ever doesn't germinate for you maybe I'll get one and I can send those at the same time podster was very generous with her seed :-) I'm in the exchange I can pay postage or wait until close to fall to send what comes up, it's up to you girl :-) I'm easy lol
Ok....Lebug. I'll get one out to you. I'll let you know when it leaves here. Might be Monday b4 I send it. I don't want it to have to sit anywhere over a weekend. : )
~Lucy
Lucy I may be wrong but have seen the postal service trucks run on the weekends too. I haven't ever noticed weekends being any slower than "normal" post office slow?
Our P.O. only works half a day on Sat. and nothing on Sunday. I have Dr appointments tomorrow, maybe I can get it out Fri. I'll try.
Yipee I have a pink one coming now thank you Lucy I'm all smiles now I have you and podster to send plants too lol I won't forget I think of you all on here when I look at these seedlings :-) Thank you podster :-) I'm in no hurry really, I'm a planting fool here lately and have plenty to get into the ground lol I appreciate the thought!
I think the plants in the ground are growing a lot faster than the starts in my pots they are slow to start and slow to grow lol Might be because we haven't had much rain it's gonna be one of those summers I'm afraid.
LeBug ~ mine in ground are doing much better too. I figured with my *sorry* soil, it would have been better to grow them in pots... Live and learn!
I guess I will put mine in the ground and then they will grow faster I just hate to dig them up after that but I guess it will be worth it to get them bigger huh? lol Some of them are so small though and I'm afraid the slugs will get them or the bunnies I have lots of those little critters too lol And there is no keeping them out!
Holy Moly, 66 threads on skullcap? Wow! (So of course I have to do my bit:)
Hey, I have an idea...aren't skullcap plants cousins of mint plants? Looking at the stems of mine, (plain ol' laterifolia type) it seems that the stems would root in water, or in a succulent soil mix, especially if one used a little rooting powder...anyone try propagating a favorite skullcap this way, yet?
I just stick mine in sand or potting mix, and water. Sometimes I use rootone, sometimes not. : )
You know, I have found very few references to skullcap... The most info I have came from a Mint book. Yep, they are related and I think it would be worth a try to root in water. Some probably would not take to water rooting as they are better suited to a drier culture. Cyra if you are inclined, please give it a try and let us know how it works... Make that 68 replies LOL
LeBug, I can only imagine how tasty these guys will be to your wildlife... so sorry.
Will do, podster; I'll get rooting powder on Monday; I'm not taking any chances with this. Will be awesome if it works. Will try one cutting in water, and one in damp cactus mix, using rooting powder. Will use white willow water for the water cutting, I happen to have half a gallon left of it.