Chelone lyonii

Common Names

Pink Turtlehead, Turtlehead, Lyon's Turtlehead, Shellflower, Appalachian Turtlehead

Summary

Chelone lyonii, Pink Turtlehead, is a native perennial in the Plantaginaceae family that forms upright clumps with stiff stems and dark green opposite, toothed leaves, abundant terminal spikes of pink to rose-purple, two-lipped, hooded flowers appear from late summer to early fall and resemble turtle heads, a distinctive feature that attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, it grows 2–4 feet tall and about 1.5–2.5 feet wide, spreading slowly by short rhizomes, and prefers moist, rich soils in full sun to part shade, with roots kept consistently wet, hardy in USDA zones 3–8, it is deer-resistant and suited to borders, woodland, bog gardens, rain gardens, and pond margins, and can be used as a cut flower, propagation is by division, cuttings, or seed, with potential for self-seeding in moist soils, pinching can reduce height, and air circulation helps prevent powdery mildew.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-36 inches

Spread

18-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun to Partial Shade; tolerates some shade.

Soil Type

Moist, rich, loamy soil that is well-draining

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil that remains consistently moist

Soil pH

6.0-7.0, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Late summer to fall

Foliage Color

Dark green, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Summer and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, birds