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Chelone obliqua (rosy turtlehead) flowers
Chelone obliqua (rosy turtlehead) in bloom

rosy turtlehead

Chelone obliqua

Rosy Turtlehead is a bushy US native with stiff spikes of turtle head-shaped lilac-pink blossoms. This easy to grow plant makes a nice addition to the fall garden. Plant along stream banks, the edge of woods or in the garden. Prefers part shade but will grow in full sun in cool summer areas. Self sows in moist areas.

Distinctions: Perennial Plant of the Year 2004 in Sweden

Zones: 5 to 8
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 24 to 36 in.
Spread: 12 to 24 in.
Exposure: full sun, part-shade
Soil Conditions: moist, along streamsides
Bloom Time: August to October
Bloom Color: dark pink
Native Range: midwestern and eastern US

image credits

Image 1 (bloom) C T Johansson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image 2 (form) Emőke Dénes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chelone obliqua (rosy turtlehead) flowers
Chelone obliqua (rosy turtlehead) in bloom