How to Grow and Care for Chelone

Red turtlehead is a wildflower that is native to North America but is not commonly seen. In some states it is considered endangered. Red turtlehead gets its name from its flowers, which are said to resemble the head of a turtle. These blooms appear in late to mid-summer and do not have any fragrance.

The Chelone glabra is a herbaceous plant which gets its white Turtlehead moniker from its flower petals which are said to resemble the head of a tortoise. It typically grows 61 to 91 cm tall with its distinctive blooms typically appearing between summer and fall.

Pink turtlehead is characterized by its upright, clump-forming growth pattern and distinctively beautiful pink to deep rose-purple flowers resembling snapdragons. Each bloom boasts a striking hooded shape, which has inspired common references to turtles. Blooming in late summer to early fall, pink turtlehead thrives in moist, rich soil and part to full shade, often found along stream banks and in woodlands where its vivid flowers attract pollinators, contributing to the ecosystem's biodiversity.