Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead)

A wonderful perennial for fall color, Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead) is an upright, clump-forming perennial with abundant terminal spikes of fascinating, two-lipped, pink to rose-purple flowers from late summer into fall. The hooded flowers are shaped like turtle heads just emerging from the shell, hence the common name of ‘Turtlehead’. They rise above a lustrous foliage of broadly, lance-shaped, dark green leaves that are arranged in pairs along the stiff, square stems and remains attractive during the growing season. This beauty is also low maintenance, disease and insect resistant, making this U.S. native a first-rate garden plant.

• Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 18-30 in. wide (45-75 cm). Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form large clumps, but is not invasive. Will self-seed in moist soils.
• Easily grown in rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade. Light shade is preferred. Tolerates deep shade, wet soils.
• Winner of the GreatPlants award, which is a joint effort between the Nebraska Nursery, Landscape Association and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.
• Undemanding and virtually pest-free and disease-free, Pink Turtlehead is a welcomed addition to borders, woodland gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens or near ponds and streams. Good as cut flower too!
• Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds but is deer resistant
• Propagate by division, cuttings and seed.
• Native to Northeastern United States and Southeastern United States
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