Description
White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra), also called Chelone chlorantha or Chelone montana, is a native perennial named for its unique flowers that look like a turtle’s head. It grows up to 5 feet tall with upright stems and deep green, lance-shaped leaves that add nice structure to wetlands and rain gardens.
It blooms from late summer into fall, producing clusters of white to light pink flowers. These blooms are essential for wildlife. It’s a host plant for the Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly and is mainly pollinated by bumblebees. Hummingbirds will visit as well.
White Turtlehead grows best in full sunand prefers wetter soils. It’s a great fit for rain gardens, wet meadows, streambanks, and other low spots where water tends to collect.
It also pairs well with Rose Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), which has a similar look and bloom time but with deep pink flowers. Planting both together gives you a nice mix of color while still keeping a cohesive, natural look.
Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it’s a reliable choice for adding late-season color and strong pollinator value to wet areas.
