Turtlehead
Chelone obliqua
Turtlehead is a perennial for mid-border, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or moist ground, flowering Aug, Sep, Oct.
| Type | Perennial |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 90 cm |
| Spread | 60 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 5a-9b, RHS H5 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | Not confirmed |
Where to use it in a border
At around 90 cm, it sits best through the middle of a border, between taller structure behind and edging in front. Give it about 60 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 5a to 9b and rated H5 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of clay soil, wet soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Turtlehead's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
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Worth knowing
- It copes with ground that stays wet, which most border plants will not.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allium 'Purple Sensation'to flower when it does not
- American Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'for height behind it
- Apple 'Bramley's Seedling'for height behind it
- Apple 'Cox's Orange Pippin'for height behind it
- Avensto edge in front
- Avens 'Lady Stratheden'to edge in front