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Chelone lyonii (Pink Turtlehead)

Pink Turtlehead, Lyon's Turtlehead

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Chelone Lyonii, Pink Turtlehead, Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Flowers, Purple Flowers, Pink Perennial, Purple Perennial
Chelone Lyonii, Pink Turtlehead, Lyon's Turtlehead, Pink Flowers, Purple Flowers, Pink Perennial, Purple Perennial

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

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Chelone
Common names Turtlehead
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 18" - 30"
(50cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Southeast, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Chelone obliqua (Twisted Shell Flower)
Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead)

Recommended Companion Plants

Lobelia siphilitica (Great Blue Lobelia)
Solidago rugosa ‘Fireworks’ (Rough Goldenrod)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 8
Heat Zones 3 - 9
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Plantaginaceae
Genus Chelone
Common names Turtlehead
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 18" - 30"
(50cm - 80cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Southeast, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama
Tolerance Deer, Wet Soil
Attracts Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Chelone (Turtlehead) to pick?
Compare Now

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