Botanical name:

Scutellaria novae-zelandiae

Common name(s):

New Zealand skullcap, shovel mint

About:

S. novae-zelandiae is a mint-like, creeping herb that can grow up to 30cm tall, making it an intriguing addition to various landscapes. The branches of this plant are typically upright and feature angular stems that may be covered with fine, soft hairs, adding to its unique texture. The leaves are borne in pairs and are widely spaced along the stem; they are rounded in shape with broad lobes that create a lush appearance. These leaves are dotted with small glands that become visibly apparent when held up to light, and their undersides may exhibit a purplish hue. The small, white flowers are helmet-shaped and are positioned above the foliage, giving them prominence, and these flowers eventually develop into pods that open out into a distinctive shovel shape, further enhancing the plant's visual appeal.

Natural habitat:

Free draining, alluvial matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia), black beech (Fuscospora solandri), and totara (Podocarpus totara) forest.

Growing environment:

Shade, Wind & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Northern South Island, particularly in the west.

Height: 30cm

Flowering: 

August - March with a white coloured flower/s

** sporadic flowering may occur throughout the year

Fruiting:

August - March

** sporadic fruiting may occur throughout the year

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Ground cover & Forests

How to grow:

Easily grown from cuttings, divisions of whole plants and seed. An excellent ground cover for semi-shaded free-draining to permanently damp, fertile soils.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.