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Pink Turtlehead

Chelone obliqua

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Category
Forb / Wildflower
Sun
Full to Partial
Soil moisture
Wet to Medium
Bloom time
Jul–Sep
Bloom color
Pink

About Pink Turtlehead

Pink Turtlehead brings a vibrant pop of rose-pink color to the late summer garden, offering the same charming, turtle-shaped blooms as its white relative. This herbaceous perennial typically grows two to three feet tall and is slightly more compact and showy than the white species, making it a popular choice for traditional garden borders as well as naturalized areas. Native to the moist woodlands and river valleys of the southeastern and central United States, it thrives in rich, moist soil and partial shade, though it can handle full sun if kept consistently watered. The hooded flowers are a magnet for bumblebees and hummingbirds, providing a critical nectar source during the transition from summer to fall. Like other turtleheads, it is generally resistant to deer and rabbits. For the best display, plant it in groups where the soil stays damp, such as near a water feature or in a low-lying area. Its attractive, deep green foliage remains lush throughout the season, providing a beautiful backdrop for its unique and colorful late-season blossoms.

Native range

Native to 18 states:

AlabamaArkansasFloridaGeorgiaIowaIllinoisIndianaKentuckyMassachusettsMarylandMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiNorth CarolinaSouth CarolinaTennesseeVirginia

County range map

BONAP county-level native range map for Chelone obliqua

Range map courtesy of BONAP (Biota of North America Program).

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