With a little imagination, the uniquely shaped flowers look like a turtle about to snap.
Turtlehead (Chelonespp.)
It also makes pretty cut flowers.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Turtlehead plants are found in beautiful shades of pink and white.
Mature stands of these plants can make for a stunning display.
They can handle sun but require additional watering.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
When planting turtlehead, consider its native woodland habitat.
They often grow alongside streams and lakes.
They need consistently moist soil and prefer boggy sites over dry soils.
Credit: Greg Ryan
How and When to Plant Turtlehead Plants
Plant turtlehead nursery plants in spring or summer.
Dig a hole in rich, loamy, moist soil slightly larger than the root ball.
Then, backfill the hole and press down slightly with your hands to remove any air pockets.
Credit: Greg Ryan
Space several plants at least a foot apart.
If planting turtlehead seeds, in spring, sow seeds on the surface of a prepared garden bed.
They require light to germinate.
Credit: John Noltner
Some of them require a period ofcold stratification; check the seed packet for a stratification requirement.
Seed harvested from cultivars of turtlehead won’t grow true to the parent plant.
Turtlehead Plant Care Tips
Light
Plant turtlehead in part shade.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
If all other conditions are ideal, turtlehead plants can grow well in full shade.
However, they may experience a lankier habit, and shade increases the chances of developing powdery mildew.
Soil and Water
Turtlehead plants thrive in moist to wet soil.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
They don’t like dry soil.
In a dry setting, these plants requiredaily supplemental wateringto keep them looking their best.
Also, confirm they receive adequate water to keep up their lush growth when growing under mature trees.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Fertilizer
Fertilizer isn’t needed during the first year.
After that, apply abalanced 10-10-10 fertilizerin early spring, following product label instructions.
Pruning
In autumn, remove the dried seed heads and spent flowers.
Trim any overgrown branches by up to one-third of their height.
Remove any crossing branches or ones that rub together bycutting themoff at the ground.
Potting and Repotting Turtlehead Plants
Turtlehead can be planted in containers that offer good drainage.
Fill the container with potting soil or garden soilmixed with compostand position it in part shade.
The planting medium should never be allowed to dry out; turtlehead prefers a damp environment.
This plant is a slow grower, so repotting is seldom necessary.
How to Propagate Turtlehead Plants
Division:Turtleheadcan be dividedto acquire new plants.
Seed: Turtlehead produces oval seed pods that turn brown and split open when the seeds are mature.
Remove the pods from the plant before they split and spread them out in a warm, dry area.
It may take months for the seeds to germinate.
It bears clusters of purplish-pink flowers from August through October.
It grows to 4 feet tall.
Zones 3-8
Turtlehead Companion Plants
Toad Lily
No fall gardenshould be without toad lilies.
Some self-seed but not aggressively.
It’s also a good selection for chronically soggy or poorly drained sites.
It often goes dormant after it blooms.
All have the classic, impossibly intricate flowers.
The falls may be “bearded” or not.
Some cultivars bloom a second time in late summer.
Some species prefer alkaline soil, while others prefer acidic soil.
This garden plan is up to the high-moisture challenge of the area around a downspout.
They begin to bloom in late summer and continue until autumn for up to six weeks.
Turtlehead is not toxic, but it could give pets an upset stomach if ingested.
It’s safe for humans, so plant it where children play without worry.
