Growing guide · Perennials

Chelone lyonii

How to grow Turtlehead 'Hot Lips'.

Pink, late, and loves wet feet.

Light
Part sun, shade
Water
High
Zones
3–8
Size
18–24 in. tall and wide
Spacing
18–24 in. apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $31.99
Turtlehead with clusters of hooded pink flowers atop stems of glossy dark green leaves

Light

Part shade is ideal; it takes full sun if the soil stays wet.

Water

Keep it consistently moist. It thrives at pond edges and low spots.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or fall at soil level in soil rich with organic matter.

Feeding

Compost in spring.

Pruning

Pinch the stem tips in early June for a bushier plant. Cut down in late fall or spring.

Through the year

Bronze shoots in spring, green by summer, flowers August to October.

If something's off

Leaf spot or mildew if it dries out. Otherwise very low trouble.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Cardinal Flower 'Black Truffle'
Lobelia cardinalis 'Black Truffle'Cardinal Flower 'Black Truffle' from $32.99
Summersweet 'Ruby Spice'
Clethra alnifoliaSummersweet 'Ruby Spice' from $57.99
Hosta 'Halcyon'
HostaHosta 'Halcyon' from $36.99

Why we stock it: A native that blooms in fall, in damp shade, when almost nothing else does.

Grows wild in 2 states (USDA PLANTS records).

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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Kits with Turtlehead 'Hot Lips'.

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The Rain Garden Rain garden kit The Rain Garden Turns the soggy spot into the best spot. SummersweetHibiscusBlue flag irisTurtleheadChokeberryAll 5 native or native varietyZones 4–911 plants · $519.894 × 8 ft low spot
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