Chelone obliqua (Twisted Shell Flower)
Twisted Shell Flower, Turtlehead, Shellflower, Rose Turtlehead
Showy and long-lived, Chelone obliqua (Twisted Shell Flower) is an erect, clump-forming perennial with showy terminal spikes of two-lipped, dusky deep pink or purple flowers from late summer into fall. The hooded flowers are shaped like turtle heads just emerging from the shell, hence the common name. Attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, they rise above a bushy mound of dark green foliage that remains handsome all season long. The coarsely-toothed, prominently veined, lance-shaped leaves, 8 in. long (20 cm), are arranged in pairs along the stems. Cultivated since the middle of the 18th century, Twisted Shell Flower is valued for its lovely and long-lasting foliage. It is terrific for bog gardens and water gardens.
- Grows up to 24-36 in. tall (60-90 cm) and 12-24 in. wide (30-60 cm). Will self-seed in moist soils.
- Easily grown in organically rich, medium to wet soils in full sun to part shade.
- A welcomed addition to borders, woodland gardens, bog gardens, rain gardens, or near ponds and streams.
- Deadhead flower spikes as they fade. Pinching stems in spring will result in a shorter plant less prone to flopping.
- No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs, snails, and powdery mildew.
- Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in early spring; by division in spring; root soft tip cuttings in late spring or early summer.
- Native to the United States.
Requirements
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Chelone |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Northeast, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia |
| Tolerance | Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
Recommended Companion Plants
Requirements
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Chelone |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Summer (Mid, Late) Fall |
| Height |
2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
18" - 24" (50cm - 60cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average, High |
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Poorly Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Native Plants | Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Midwest, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Northeast, South Carolina, Southeast, Tennessee, United States, Virginia |
| Tolerance | Deer, Clay Soil, Wet Soil |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Bog Gardens, Ponds And Streams, Rain Gardens |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow |
