USDA Cold Hardiness Zones: 3a-9b  Find Your Zone 

Plant Type:  Herbaceous Perennial 

Flower Color:  White, sometimes with Soft-Pink flushed lips

Flower Size: 1" 

Flowering Period: Midsummer into Fall

Flower Type:  Two-lipped, resembling a turle's head

Fragrant Flowers:  -

Foliage Color:  Dark Green 

Fragrant Foliage: -

Berries:  -

Berry Color:  -

Attracts:  Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention

Resistances:  Cold Temperatures (-40F / Zones 4-9), Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect, Rabbit, Wet Soil

A wonderful variety of our North American native Turtlehead, Chelone glabra, commonly known as White Turtlehead, prefers life on the wet side, thriving in sites where the soil stays consistently moist to wet. It forms an upright clump up to 3 feet tall in bloom and 30 inches wide with vertical stems clothed in rich, deep green, lance-shaped leaves. From mid to late summer and into fall, the stems are topped with 6-8" tall pyramidal clusters of hooded, two-lipped flowers shaped like a turtle's head with its mouth open, which beckon hummingbirds, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators to come and feed. In its native habitat, White Turtlehead occurs naturally in partially shaded, moist to wet woodland areas and along streams, and it will spread slowly by underground rhizomes, forming a small colony. 

Note: We suggest avoiding direct afternoon sunlight, but a few hours of morning, late afternoon, and evening sunlight are beneficial for the sturdiest plants. 

The genus name comes from the Greek word Chelone, meaning tortoise, referring to the turtlehead shape of the flowers.

Growing in an upright clump up to 3 feet tall in bloom and 2 feet wide, White Turtlehead is ideal for growing in garden areas where the soil stays moist to wet. It is nice as an accent in small spaces and mixed container gardens, or in groupings and mass plantings where space allows. Plant it near patios, decks, porches, and other outdoor living spaces where the unusual, pretty flowers and the hummingbirds and butterflies feeding can be enjoyed from close up. A fine addition to bog gardens, rain gardens, hummingbird gardens, butterfly gardens, beneficial pollinator gardens, perennial gardens, white theme gardens, native gardens, shade gardens, and cottage gardens.

The White Turtlehead thrives in constantly moist to wet soils in partial shade to shade. We hear it will grow in full sun in cool summer climates; however, afternoon shade is suggested in hot summer climates. We suggest a few hours of sunlight daily or all-day filtered sun at any location. Plant it with the top of the root ball even with the ground level. Care and maintenance are minimal. Feed in spring with organic plant food. Provide water as needed to keep the soil moist.

Questions? Contact Us!