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Chelone glabra

Turtlehead

Spikes of elegant white flowers top shiny green foliage in late summer and early fall. Grows best in moist meadows, stream banks, and swamps. Favorite breeding site for the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.


Height

2-4 Feet

Spread

1-2 Feet

Bloom Color

White

USDA Hardiness Zone 5-8

Interesting Notes

Chelone (rhymes with "baloney") was a nymph in Greek mythology who insulted the gods by ridiculing or not attending (versions vary) the marriage of Zeus to Hera. The gods punished her by turning her into a turtle.

Growing and Maintenance Tips

Best grown in moist to wet, rich, humusy soils in part shade. Appreciates a good composted leaf mulch, particularly in sunny areas. Consider pinching back the stem ends in spring to reduce mature plant height, especially if growing plants in strongly shaded areas where they are more likely to need some support. In optimum environments, however, staking is usually not required.

Good Companions

Characteristics & Attributes

Critter Resistance
Deer Resistant
Growth Rate
Medium
Nature Attraction
Butterflies
Exposure
Sun
Part Sun
Sun with Moist Soil
Season of Interest (Flowering)
Late Summer
Fall
Attributes
Stream Edge
Container
Moist Sun
Pond Edge
Bog
Native to US
Meadow
Wetlands
Cut Flower
Roadside Planting
Border
Open Pollinated
Native to Northeast
Mass Planting
Soil Moisture Needs
Average
Moist