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Chelone obliqua (Turtlehead)

Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner

(Based on 4 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones:

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.

Overview
User Reviews
Photos

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

Rate this plant

posted by bnyden
4/21/2011
Region: Midwest
Zone: 5

My second year plants reached over 6 feet tall; was expecting 3 feet. In a bed that is on the north side of the porch, moist and shady most of the day. Loaded with flowers from late August through September. However, does anyone know if and for long they can be pinched back without hurting the flower production to keep them shorter and bushier?

posted by judgehort
1/25/2010
Region: Northeast
Zone: 7

A plant well worth having as long as it is not left dry; it will not tolerate drought. It is valuable for its moderately large size and its late summer/autumn blooming season.

posted by thoele
8/4/2009
Region: Midwest
Zone: 6

posted by saddleman
11/16/2008
Region: Midwest
Zone: 5

i was researching a plant that i was not familiar with and found great information for propagating and growth. I find the turtle head a magnificent plant and most interesting flower

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