white turtlehead
Chelone glabra
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to full shade
WaterHandles moderate to wet soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall1.5 to 2.5 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Habit
- Herb
- Bloom season
- Summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White with pink tinge
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acidic (pH<6.8)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
White turtlehead (Chelone glabra) is a perennial for rain gardens, shade gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to full shade and average to wet, loamy, clay, or chalky soil. Its white flowers often have a pink tinge and look like turtle heads. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees visit the blooms in summer and autumn.
Pairs well with Spotted joe-pye weed, Cinnamon fern, and Wild ginger.
Native range
United States.