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.
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Chelone |
| Common names | Turtlehead |
| 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 | United States, Northeast, Massachusetts, Maryland, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Midwest, Michigan, Southeast, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky |
| 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 |
| Hardiness |
5 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
3 - 9 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Plant Family | Plantaginaceae |
| Genus | Chelone |
| Common names | Turtlehead |
| 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 | United States, Northeast, Massachusetts, Maryland, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Midwest, Michigan, Southeast, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky |
| 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 |
How many Chelone obliqua (Twisted Shell Flower) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Chelone obliqua (Twisted Shell Flower) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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