Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


{name}

Chelone obliqua (Turtlehead)

Chelone obliqua Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner

(Based on 3 user reviews)

Rate this plant

Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Chelone obliqua kee-LO-nay ob-LEE-kwah Common Name: Turtlehead Genus: Chelone
Turtlehead is an excellent, sturdy, vertical perennial with rounded stems, medium texture and deep-green, boldly veined leaves on short stalks. Weather-resistant flowers are dark pink or purple, borne in short, dense, terminal spikes. The flowers are tubular 2-lipped blooms, with a sparse yellow beard inside each lower lip.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Blooms for at least 4 weeks and will continue into late summer with deadheading. Great mid-border plant.
 Care: Grow in partial shade with moist soil. Will grow in dense shade, or even in full sun if soil is soggy. Tolerates heavy clay soils and will also grow in a bog garden.
 Propagation: From seed in early spring. Divide in spring. Root soft-tip cuttings in late spring or early summer.
 Problems: Prone to powdery mildew, rust, fungal leaf spots, and damage from slugs and snails.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Light Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture Medium to Wet
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Native; Showy Flowers; Showy Foliage
Bloom Time Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Pink Flower; Purple/ Lavender Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Waterside
Seasonal Interest Spring Interest, Summer Interest
Type Perennials

Plants you might also like

Thalictrum rochebruneanum Thalictrum rochebruneanum
(Meadow rue) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This beautiful specimen has tall, delicate stems punctuated by clusters of columbine-like, bluish gray leaves. In summer, it bears sprays of nodding lavender-pink or white flowers with pale yellow stamens that reach as high as 3 feet. Plants grow to 12 inches wide. Plant at the back of a border; it may require staking.
Thalictrum rochebruneanum 'Lavender Mist' Thalictrum rochebruneanum 'Lavender Mist'
(Meadow rue) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This hauntingly beautiful specimen has blue-green foliage along matte, purple-green, willowy stems. At 5 or more feet in height, it has a dramatic yet delicate garden presence. Its sprays of nodding lilac flowers have pale yellow stamens. Plant at the back of a border; it may require staking.
Clematis crispa Clematis crispa
(Marsh clematis, Blue jasmine, Curly clematis) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

A deciduous climber native to the southeastern United States, Clematis crispa bears lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers with curly edges in summer. Its blooms are not profuse, but their elegant shape makes this plant a good choice for trellises, growing through shrubs, or planting in damp areas. The flowers are slightly fragrant and are followed by attractive seedheads. It also makes an unusual cut flower.
Agastache rupestris Agastache rupestris
(Sunset hyssop) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

True to its name, sunset hyssop encapsulates a Western sunset in its flowers: bronze with hints of orange and yellow, and streaks of magenta and pink along the margins. More and more flowers emerge as summer progresses. The plant blooms heavily in August, and continues into autumn.
Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’
(Thread-leaved tickseed) (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

'Moonbeam' produces star-like blossoms of pale yellow from late spring into autumn. This cultivar is widely used because the refreshing tint of yellow compliments so many colors. The finely textured foliage adds interest all season long.