Overview of Turtlehead
A fall blooming perennial, turtlehead gets its common name from its blossoms that resemble a turtle’s head with its mouth partly open. There are six species in the genus Chelone, all of which are native to North America. The genus name comes from Chelone, a nymph in Greek mythology who was punished by the gods by turning her into a turtle. The plants are also occasionally referred to as shellflowers. They are typically found in bogs, swamps, along streams or in moist woods. Several of these herbaceous plants in the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) are offered as ornamentals, or have been used to create garden hybrids.
C. glabra (white turtlehead) was found along the eastern part of the continent from Newfoundland to Georgia and Alabama and is hardy in zones 3a to 8b. C. obliqua (red turtlehead) has pink to nearly red flowers with a white or yellow beard. It occurs naturally from Minnesota to Florida and is hardy in zones 5a to 9b. C. lyonii (pink turtlehead) is found in a restricted area in the mountains of central Appalachia that is hardy in zones 3a to 8b. C. glabra is a preferred larval host plant for Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton) caterpillars.
Chelone grows 1 to 4 feet tall (usually 2 to 3 feet for the garden cultivars) in a dense clump, spreading slowly over time from short rhizomes. The dark green foliage emerges in spring and remains attractive through the growing season. The opposite, often shiny leaves have a heavily toothed edge. Depending on the species, the broad to narrow leaves may have a tapering or rounded base with or without a petiole.
The two-lipped, snapdragon-like flowers, in shades of white, pink or red, appear from terminal spikes in late summer or early fall. Each inflated, tubular flower is irregular in shape, with the two upper petals fused into a hood-like structure and the other 3 petals forming a bearded, 3-lobed lower lip. The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.
Pea-shaped seed pods may follow the flowers, starting out green and turning brown when mature, containing a number of medium brown seeds, each about 1/8 inch wide and pointed at the ends. Some species self seed readily, while others do not.
The nectar of Chelone glabra flowers contains compounds that have been shown to reduce levels of the protozoan parasite Crithidia bombi in bumblebees. Additional studies have shown that parasite infested bumblebees feed longer on nectar sources that contain these compounds, perhaps as a way to naturally treat their condition.
Landscape Use of Turtlehead
For most of the growing season, Chelone plants are unremarkable. Turtlehead comes into its own late in the season, providing fall color in the perennial border or native garden. Grow it in masses with other perennials in the garden or naturalized area, especially in moist locations, such as along the edge of a water garden, pond or stream. It combines well with purple monkshood (Aconitum) and Shasta daisy ‘Becky’ and is a nice contrast with the dark foliage of ‘Velvet Cloak’ smoketree (Cotinus coggygria ).
Turtlehead is best grown in full sun in the Midwest but tolerates some shade. It prefers fertile, moist to wet soil, although most species tolerate drier soil once established. The stems can be pinched early in the year to produce a more compact plant (especially in shadier sites where the plants will grow taller), although staking is rarely required even when left to grow to its natural height. In some places it is favored by deer but not bothered in other locations – this likely varies by the different species and what other plants are available to the deer.
Propagating Turtlehead
Chelone species can be propagated from seed. Vegetative cultivars are best multiplied by division in spring. Seed is easily collected by collecting brown seed pods before they open. Surface sow seed, as light promotes germination, and cold, moist stratification for 2 to 3 months is recommended. Germination can take several months. Seed can be direct sown outdoors in the fall to germinate the following spring.
Cultivars of Turtlehead
Many plants offered as C. obliqua may actually be hybrids of uncertain parentage. There are a few named cultivars and hybrids including:
- C. glabra ‘Black Ace’ has dark green foliage with a blackish tint when plants emerge in spring and white flowers. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall. ‘It ‘Black Ace’ was introduced in 2001 by Plant Delights Nursery.
- C. lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ is an improved selection with wide, deep green foliage that emerges bronze-green, stems tinged red, and deep rose-pink blossoms.
- C. lyonii ‘Pink Temptation’ is a compact, pink flowered seed strain that grows just 16 inches tall and wide. It was introduced in 2006.
- C. obliqua ‘Alba’ (sometimes listed as var. alba) has white flowers.
- C. obliqua ‘Ieniemienie’ is a very compact vegetative selection that grows just 10 inches tall, with lilac pink flowers.
- Tiny Tortuga (variety ‘Armtipp02’, US plant patent 25,350) is a hybrid cultivar that is floriferous and compact (14 to 16 inch tall x 12 to 24 inch wide), with dark green leaves that darken with age and dark pink flowers.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: September 2026
