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Turtlehead


Chelone selections

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 3-4 feet in height. It bears clusters of purplish-pink flowers from August through October. Zones 3-8
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Chelone obliqua flowers look 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
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Plant It With
Toad lily

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

Marsh marigold

Both marsh marigold and turtlehead grow well in boggy soils. Marsh marigold will start the season 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 fills the gap when turtlehead is not blooming.

Propagation
Division

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