PerennialsChelone obliqua
Turtlehead
Turtlehead gets its name from its unusual flower shape that resembles a turtle's head. The pink, lip-shaped flowers appear in dense spikes from August to September. This sturdy plant thrives in moist, shady spots and is perfect for waterside planting.
Characteristics
- Sun
- Partial shade
- Water
- High
- Height
- 60–90 cm
- Spread
- 40–60 cm
- Hardiness zone
- 3–8
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Evergreen
- No
- Flower colors
- pink
- Wildlife value
- bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Bloom period
Care guide
Plant in partial shade in moist to wet soil. Keep the soil consistently moist; the plant does not tolerate prolonged drought. Enrich the soil annually with compost. Apply a light feed in spring.
Pruning tips
Remove spent flower stems after blooming. Cut back old foliage to the ground in early spring. Divide every three years to keep the plant vigorous.
Good companions
PerennialsAstilbe × arendsii
False Spirea
False Spirea is an elegant shade plant with feathery plumes in pink, red, or white above deeply cut foliage. It blooms from June to August, and the plumes retain their ornamental value even when dried. Astilbe thrives in moist, shady spots where many other plants struggle.
PerennialsHosta sieboldiana
Hosta
Hosta is the quintessential shade plant, valued for its large, blue-green, ribbed leaves. Light purple or white bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems in July and August. Over the years the plant forms substantial clumps that give a shaded border a lush character.