General Information: Plentiful, unusual turtle-head-shaped flowers adorn stems in late summer and early fall. These snapdragon-shaped, two-lipped flowers range in color from red to deep rose pink. The name turtlehead is said to describe the flowerhead’s resemblance to a turtle with its mouth open. The genus name comes from the Greek word chelone, meaning tortoise.
Pink turtlehead, or rose turtlehead, is a stiffly erect, clump-forming perennial that typically grows 2-3’ tall. It is native to moist woods, swampy areas, floodplains, alluvial forests, and stream margins. Foliage is a larval food source for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly.
Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to part shade, or dappled shade. Medium to wet. Tolerates erosion, clay soil, and wet soil. Best grown in organically rich, humusy, moist to wet soils in full sun to part shade.
Cultivation Details: Pinch back stems in spring to reduce overall flowering height. In shady areas they may need support, so reducing height early can keep them more compact. Normally, staking is not required. Performs well in any rich soil in both sunny and shady conditions, and can tolerate brief periods of dry soil. Plants can be divided or grown from seed; sometimes they will self-seed. They appreciate a composted leaf mulch, particularly in full sun areas. Rhizomatous roots allow plants to slowly spread, forming beautiful colonies. Deer and rabbit resistant. Use in rain gardens, shade, woodland gardens, native plant gardens, bog gardens, to naturalize around ponds, and/or in rain gardens. Also, makes a showy specimen planting. No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to mildew, particularly if soils are kept on the dry side and/or air circulation is poor.
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