thebestgardentips.comHandy Lawn Maintenance and Fine Gardening Tips

As we transition to the summer season and its warmer temperatures, it is a good time to feature perennials with late summer bloom times, and also ones that will do good in partially shaded gardens, since getting color into shade gardens is such a challenge.  A nice choice is the pink turtlehead, or chelone.  It has attractive foliage and can bloom for two or more months.

The Pink Turtlehead, or Chelone, is an easy perennial to grow in zones 4 to 9 and is well-suited for a shade garden. It has glossy green foliage adorned in late summer and early fall by short spikes of hooded flowers in shades of pink, white, rose, and purple. They range in height from 2 to 4 feet, so they look exceptional surrounded by smaller green plants.

The Chelone is sometimes confused with the Bearded Tongue (Pentstemon), to which it is closely related. It is a late summer plant, coming into bloom about the middle of August, and lasts for six to eightweeks. The Turtle Head (C. Lyonii) has rose-purple flowers which grow from a mass of deep green leaves. The flowers of Chelone are inflated and long, tube-shaped, somewhat resembling the Snapdragon.

Uses. Because of their season of bloom and their rather attractive colors, they make good plants for the border, or to plant along streams. S. N. Baxter suggests the Shasta Daisy as an effective foreground companion plant.

GENERAL CARE. Chelones thrive best in moist or swampy places, in half shade. They are easy of culture. At blooming time, they should be fertilized or mulched deeply in order to conserve the moisture.

PROPAGATION. They are propagated from seeds, cuttings or divisions of the roots made in the Spring.

HOW TO GROW A PINK TURTLEHEAD

1. When placed in the proper site, the pink turtlehead requires little care. It likes cool, wet feet so set it in moisture-retentive soil, amended with organic matter and top with a good summer mulch to keep it cool.
2. Water thoroughly and regularly, not allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
3. Pinch the tips of the pink turtlehead plant back periodically before blooming. This will encourage a fuller and bushier look. The beautiful blooms are very irregular in shape with tips that look like a turtle’s open mouth. As they grow taller, it may become necessary to provide support.
4. Leave the dead stems on these plants during the winter. This, along with the mulch will help keep them warm. Cut the dead stems off in spring before the new foliage appears.
5. Divide the pink turtlehead every few years as it is a rapid grower. Share starts of this unique and unusual perennial. with your friends and neighbors.