search
plants site
most popular


share
Print print

Turtlehead

Chelone selections
Rate and Comment
Turtlehead

This native perennial gets its name from the shape of its unusual flowers, which resemble the heads of snapping turtles. It's a good choice for heavy, wet soils and spreads to form dense colonies of upright stems bearing pink, rose, or white flowers from late summer into fall. It grows best in some shade, but tolerates full sun with adequate moisture.

Light:
Sun, Part Sun
Zones:
4-9
Plant Type:
Perennial
Plant Height:
16-48 inches tall
Plant Width:
16-30 inches wide
Landscape Uses:
Containers, Beds & Borders
Special Features:
Flowers, Cut Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Drought Tolerant, Tolerates Wet Soil, Easy to Grow

Top Varieties


(Chelone lyonii) is the tallest of turtlehead species at 3 to 4 feet in height. It bears clusters of purplish pink flowers from August through October. Zones 3-8.
view >
(Chelone obliqua) flowers look quite similar to those of pink turtlehead, but they tend to be slightly darker and are borne on plants that remain under 2 feet in height. Zones 5-9.
view >

Plant It With


Toad lily

Toad lily blooms at the same time as turtlehead, making a striking combination in the semi-shady fall garden.

Marsh marigold

Both marsh marigold and turtlehead grow well in boggy soils. Marsh marigold will start the season out with brilliant gold, and turtlehead will wrap it up with pink or white blooms.

Iris

Upright grassy foliage of Siberian iris pairs nicely with the glossy green foliage of turtlehead. Its late spring blooms will fill a gap when turtlehead is not blooming.

Propagation


Division

not what you're looking for? try a new search

search by plant name
 

Zone Finder

Enter your ZIP code to learn your USDA hardiness zone.

what is this?

BHG Real Estate

Find a new home

browse listings

BHG Brands

Discover our BHG-branded furniture, fabrics, bedding & more

learn more
 

my gardening notebook

hi, Susie
Not Susie?
most recently clipped

Your garden notebook is empty

open my notebook
Close myBhg
MyBhg Quickview

Hello, Susie
BHG.com has special news for you. Find Out find out more

See exclusive offers just for our members. Click here to enter for your chance to win great prizes.

Your ideas and clippings About you
 

 Loading Recent Clippings

Browse through your recent clippings
organized by areas of the site.

 
Close Dashboard
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 

  • Videos
  • Top Tools
  • Calendar
  • Win Daily
Rattle the neighbors with some fresh-from-the-graveyard displays. They're so simple to make, you'll really "dig" it!

You're just a snip away from new plants. Don't believe us? Just take a look at our almost foolproof tips for starting ne...

The end of summer doesn't mean the end of fresh herb flavor. Use these Test Garden tips to make the most of herbs all ye...

Mums in a gourd

Holiday Decorating

Celebrate in style with hundreds of FREE holiday decorating ideas.

View this tool

All Top Tools

Todays Daily Prize




 

 
By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service.