Turtleheads (Chelone): Native Perennials for Moist Gardens

If you have a moist site and want to extend the blooming season, look no further than turtleheads. This North American wildflower is an up-and-coming star in the plant world!

(Editor's Note: Originally published February 14, 2009. Comments welcome, but authors may not promptly respond.)

Native Heritage

Most genera in North American gardens hail from Europe or Asia. Few ornamentals are purely North American natives—Phlox, Rudbeckia, Echinacea are examples. Another genus, perhaps less popular, is Chelone, commonly turtlehead. In Greek myth, Chelone was a nymph who insulted Zeus and Hera's marriage—turned into a tortoise, condemned to eternal silence. In Greek, chelone became the word for tortoise (hence the common name).

Species & Habitat

Only four species in genus Chelone. Wild: edges of streams, lakes, bogs, wet thickets throughout eastern North America. Prefer moist sites. Garden accommodation: full sun, incorporate plenty organic material to increase soil moisture. Don't require wet soil, but suffer if not evenly moist. Grow 60–120 cm—ideal for mid/back of moist border or near water features. Stiffly upright, form large clumps over time. Paired leaves lance-shaped, serrated margins. Flowers terminal in dense head, blooming mid-late summer into fall. Blooms shaped like turtlehead, white or pink shades—admirable cut flowers. Seed heads attractive for dried arrangements.

White Turtlehead / Balmony (C. glabra)

Most widespread, hardiest (zone 3). Extends west to Manitoba/Minnesota, east to Newfoundland, south to Georgia/Mississippi. At least nine botanical varieties with slight differences. C. chlorantha and C. montana (older literature) now classified as varieties. Flowers typically white, may have green/pink flush. 'Montana' distinctively purple-pink. Native Americans used medicinally for sores, fevers, gentle laxative.

Various colour forms of C. glabra

Pink & Red Turtlehead (C. lyonii & C. obliqua)

Two very similar species. C. lyonii: highland regions, eastern seaboard Maine to Mississippi. C. obliqua: lowland, western Great Lakes south to Arkansas, Mississippi, Southeast. Difference mainly foliage: narrow/elongate on C. obliqua, wider/ovate on C. lyonii. Both hardy to zone 4. 'Hot Lips' popular C. lyonii cultivar: shiny dark-green leaves, rose-pink flowers.

Details of C. obliqua

Details of C. lyonii

Other Species

Chelone cuthbertii: most restricted range, mountainous Southeast U.S. (Virginia to Georgia). Flowers like pink/red turtlehead but leaves sessile (attached directly to stem). Not commonly cultivated. Hardy to at least zone 5.

Once C. nemorosa, now reclassified Notochelone nemorosa: western species, British Columbia to California. Flowers more like Penstemon or Physostegia—distinctly two-lipped with flared openings. Rarely grown as garden ornamental.

Companion Plants & Future

With love of moist soils, turtleheads ideal companions for rayflowers (Ligularia), rose mallow, astilbe, blue lobelia, cardinal flower, flag iris, sedges. Particularly valued for late flowers when many perennials have gone to seed. Relatively new as garden ornamental—breeders only now exploring improved forms like 'Hot Lips'. Expect more named varieties soon—keep eyes open!

Photo credits: HarryNJ (C. obliqua full plant), victorgardener (C. obliqua close-up).