'Hot Lips' Pink Turtlehead (Chelone)
Perennial
- Thrives in wet soil, perfect for rain gardens!
- Bright pink flowers attract hummingbirds & butterflies.
- Native, deer-resistant & long-blooming.
- Provides late-season color, blooming late summer through fall.
- Zones 3-8, sun/part sun, 2-4' x 1.5 - 2.5' wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Chelone is a perennial native to the eastern United States. It is naturally found in woodland areas near rivers and bodies of fresh water. The tubular blooms, likened to turtle heads, hence its nickname, can attract pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies.
Details
Common name: Turtlehead, Appalachian turtlehead.
Zone: 3 - 8
Sun exposure: Full sun (6+ hrs/day) to part sun (4-6 hrs/day). Can tolerate some shade but flowers best with daily sunlight.
Height x width: 2-4' x 1.5 - 2.5'
Flower color: Pink
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer - fall
Bloom time: Late summer - fall
Features: Space savers, native, deer resistant, cut flower, wet soil, rain garden, pollinator plants, container
Uses: Accent, containers, border, cutting garden, cottage gardening, woodland plantings, pollinator garden, rain garden
How to Grow
Light: Full sun (6+ hrs/day) to part sun (4-6 hrs/day). Tolerate of full shade environments.
Water: Water regularly, unless growing in standing water. Ensure soil never dries out.
Spacing: 2ft.
Fertilizing: In average soil, needs almost no fertilizer. Grows well in lean soil. Do not over fertilize.
Winterizing: Cut back in fall or spring.
Maintenance & pruning: Not necessary, a light pruning in spring could promote growth come summer.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
