Chelone glabra, also called white turtlehead, is a moisture loving perennial known for its unique turtle shaped blooms that provide a strong vertical form while supporting late season pollinators!
Height & Spread: 24 - 36 in x 12 - 24 in
Bloom Time: Late summer to early fall
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Moist to wet, rich soils; tolerates clay
Watering Needs: High; prefers consistently moist sites
Deer Resistance: Moderately deer resistant
Native Status
This species is native to eastern North America, commonly found along streams, seeps, and wet meadows from Canada to the Gulf Coast.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts Monarchs, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Red Admiral butterflies for late season nectar.
Bees
- Supports bumblebee species such as Common Eastern Bumblebee and Two Spotted Bumblebee which pry open the turtle shaped flowers for nectar.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 18 - 24 in apart for upright clumping growth and long blooming impact.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent in rain gardens, moist woodland edges, and pollinator beds. Adds structure and seasonal interest to areas with consistent moisture.
Companion Plants
- Vernonia noveboracensis (New York Ironweed) - Provides rich purple flowers and height for pairing in wet meadows.
- Sanguisorba canadensis (Canadian Burnet) - Provides unusual white bottlebrush flowers and fine foliage in moist native groupings.
- Rudbeckia laciniata (Cutleaf Coneflower) - Adds bold golden blooms and vertical interest to wet borders.
- Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal Flower) - Offers vivid red blooms and attracts hummingbirds in moist soils.
- Aster puniceus (Swamp Aster) - Complements with soft purple blooms during the same late season window.