Turtlehead.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Facile

Type de plante

Perennial

Lumière

Full sun to partial shade

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 2 à 4 jours

Taille adulte

2 to 3 feet

Croissance

Moyenne

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 8

Floraison

Late summer to mid autumn

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant hates drying out. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water immediately. You can pinch back the stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist at all times.

Engrais

Apply a balanced organic compost in early spring.

Taille

Cut the stems back to the ground after the first hard frost.

Rempotage

Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant vigorous.

Sol

Rich, moist, organic soil

pH du sol

5.5 to 7.0

Température

-35 à 30°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

There are no reports of significant toxicity in humans.

Enfants

The plant is not known to be a choking hazard or dangerous to handle.

Allergènes de contact

No specific skin irritation is associated with this plant.

Allergènes aéroportés

There is no notable risk of airborne allergens from this species.

Comestibilité

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Comment l'identifier

• Snapdragon like white or pink flowers
• Flowers resemble a turtle head
• Opposite lance shaped leaves
• Sturdy upright square stems
• Blooms in late summer to autumn

Hauteur

0,6 à 1,2m

Envergure

0,3 à 0,6m

Feuilles

dark green, deciduous

Fleurs

white, pale pink, 2 à 4cm

Fruits

brown, Autumn

Problèmes courants

• Powdery mildew — A white fungal growth appears on leaves when air circulation is poor.

La cultiver

Multiplication

division, seed, cuttings

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Hivernage

Cut the stems back to the ground after the first hard frost. Apply a layer of mulch if you live in an area with little snow cover.

En pot

It grows well in containers if you use a large pot and keep the soil constantly wet.

Group this plant with other moisture loving perennials to create a self sustaining rain garden.

Bonnes associations

• Eutrochium purpureum — They share similar moisture requirements and bloom times.
• Cardinal flower — Both species thrive in the same wet, shady garden conditions.

Espèces similaires

• Chelone lyonii — It is a closely related species with more vibrant pink flowers.

Science

Famille

Plantaginaceae

Genre

Chelone

Ordre

Lamiales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Eastern North America.

Préservation

It is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows in wet meadows and along stream banks where its roots can stay saturated.

Intérêt pour la faune

larval host plant, nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

rain gardens, pollinator gardens, wetland restoration

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil constantly moist, as this plant naturally grows in wetlands.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Chelone comes from the Greek word for tortoise, referring to the flower shape. The specific epithet glabra means smooth or hairless.

Bon à savoir

• It is the primary host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly.
• The flowers are designed to be opened only by strong insects like bumblebees.
• It thrives in damp soil where other plants might struggle.