what does a turtle head plant look like

How do you take care of a turtle head plant?

Turtlehead Care Turtlehead plants prefer moist soil in a location with filtered sun, but they also have a good tolerance for shady conditions. One thing they do not like, however, is dry soil. In bright sun, a layer of leaf mulch will help keep the soil cool and moist.

Is turtle Head plant poisonous?

Is The Turtlehead Considered Toxic or Poisonous? This medicinal plant is not toxic but should be handled with care.

Is turtle head a perennial?

Turtlehead is a perennial found throughout most of the eastern half of the United States. It generally is found along stream banks and damp ground, and usually grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. The plant has a square stem with leaves that are opposite, toothed, and narrow.

Do you cut back turtlehead in the fall?

Turtleheads grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Trimming back the plants in fall removes the old seed pods and maintains the plant's shape, which prevents self-seeding and improves the appearance of the sleeping winter garden.

Do hummingbirds like turtlehead?

Turtlehead is a great addition to a bog garden, rain garden, pollinator, or wildflower garden because it attracts bumble bees, butterflies, and other insects and hummingbirds. Among the many plants you might consider adding to your garden is a native perennial herb that is one of my favorites - turtlehead.

Do butterflies like turtlehead?

Turtlehead plants may not be tasty to us, but they're food for caterpillars of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton). These colorful, medium-sized butterflies appear in May to July, so you probably won't see them at this time of year.

Can you divide turtle Head plant?

Along with thinning out plants, turtlehead can easily be divided, either to keep clumps in check, or to help with potential disease problems. The best time to divide turtleheads is in the spring, just as the new growth emerges.

Are turtlehead plants toxic to dogs?

White turtlehead is not known to be toxic to humans or animals, including fish.

Is turtlehead an evergreen?

Thrives in shaded settings and prefers moist conditions. An herbaceous perennial....Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips'Botanical Pronunciationkay-LOH-nee ly-ON-ee-eyeDeciduous/ EvergreenHerbaceousFlower AttributeFlowers for Cutting, Showy Flowers16 more rows

What perennials should not be cut back?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

When should you cut back plants for winter?

Q: When is the best time to cut back in the fall? A: “When they start to look too ratty for you and before the fresh new growth begins,” says Sarah. For plants that are frost-sensitive, wait until after the plants have gone through several hard frosts to ensure they're dormant before cutting back.

How do you winterize perennials?

The basics of putting the perennial garden to bed:Do not fertilize. ... Keep removing spent flowers and dead and dying foliage.Keep the base of plants free of dead leaves and debris particularly before frost.Keep watering until the ground freezes. ... Apply a layer of mulch or mulched leaves in late fall.More items...•

Is turtlehead plant toxic to dogs?

White turtlehead is not known to be toxic to humans or animals, including fish.

What is poisonous to tortoises?

Many common plants are toxic, and keepers must make sure that their herbivorous chelonians are kept away from them....Common NameBotanical NameToxicityAmaryllisAmaryllis belladonna2Asparagus FernAsparagus sprengerii2, 3Arrowhead VineSyngonium podophyllum1Avocado (leaves, seeds)Persea americana256 more rows

Can you divide turtle Head plant?

Along with thinning out plants, turtlehead can easily be divided, either to keep clumps in check, or to help with potential disease problems. The best time to divide turtleheads is in the spring, just as the new growth emerges.

What is a turtlehead?

vulgar slang To need to defecate so badly that one's feces begin to come out through the anus involuntarily. I need to find a bathroom now—I'm starting to turtle head! I was turtle heading by the time we finally got to a rest stop.

What color are turtle heads?

Colorful Combinations. Turtleheads are found in beautiful shades of pinks and whites. When looking closely at these interesting blooms, you will see that the common name for this plant makes sense, as the flowers look like snapping turtle heads.

When do turtleheads bloom?

Turtlehead. This native wildflower grows exceptionally well in moist, shady soils and puts on an impressive display of blooms in late summer to fall. Even when not in bloom, these plants have striking, leathery, green foliage that can easily fill in a shady spot and add a complementary backdrop to neighboring plants.

Can turtlehead be divided?

The occasional thinning out of larger, mature stands can be helpful too, as it will increase the airflow to the center of the plants. Along with thinning out plants, turtlehead can easily be divided, either to keep clumps in check, or to help with potential disease problems.

Do turtleheads like full sun?

While they can handle full sun, there is a larger likelihood of them requiring supplemental watering, as they will tend to dry out faster than when planted in part sun. If all other conditions are ideal, turtleheads can even grow well in full shade , but may experience a lankier habit and will increase the chances of developing powdery mildew.

What is a turtle head plant?

Its scientific name is Chelone glabra, but the turtlehead plant is a plant that goes by many names including shellflower, snakehead, snakemouth, cod head, fish mouth, balmony, and bitter herb. Not surprisingly, turtlehead flowers resemble the head of a turtle, earning the plant this popular name. So what is turtlehead?

Where do turtlehead flowers grow?

So what is turtlehead? A member of the Figwort family, this interesting perennial wildflower is found in many parts of the eastern United States along stream banks, rivers, lakes, and damp ground. Turtlehead flowers are hardy, require minimal ...

What zone do turtleheads grow in?

Turtlehead plants divide easily and enjoy a deep layer of organic mulch. Turtleheads also do best in USDA planting zones 4 through 7. They are not suited for desert-like conditions and will not survive in the southwestern United States.

Do deer like turtleheads?

Many gardeners like growing turtlehead Chelone around the perimeter of their vegetable gardens, as deer are not interested in them. Their late summer blooms provide plenty of delicious nectar for butterflies and hummingbirds, making them a favorite of nature lovers.

Can turtlehead chelone grow in dry soil?

If you have a moist place in your landscape, these flowers will be right at home, although they are hardy enough to grow in dry soil as well. In addition to moist soil, growing turtlehead Chelone also requires a soil pH that is neutral and either full sun or part shade.

How tall does a turtle head grow?

It generally is found along stream banks and damp ground, and usually grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet. The plant has a square stem with leaves that are opposite, toothed, and narrow.

What is a turtlehead plant?

Traditional practices create a tonic from this plant that is claimed to be beneficial for indigestion, constipation, and stimulating the appetite. It is also an anthelmintic (de-wormer) and a salve from the leaves may relieve itching and inflammation.

What is the scientific name for a turtle head?

Turtlehead ( Chelone glabra) Turtlehead is also known as balmony, bitter herb, codhead, fish mouth, shellflower, snakehead, snake mouth, and turtle bloom. It is part of the Figwort family ( Scrophulariacea) and has the scientific name Chelone glabra. In Greek mythology, there was a nymph named Chelone who insulted the gods; in punishment, ...

What color is the range map of turtlehead?

Range map of turtlehead. States are colored green where the species may be found.

What is the best soil for turtleheads?

The flowers are irregular, two-lipped and grow in dense spikes. Growing requirements for turtleheads are moist to wet or mucky soils, a neutral soil pH, and light levels between full sun and partial shade. Turtlehead plants are used in natural medicine.

How big does a white turtlehead grow?

Scientifically known as Chelone glabra, you can expect this plant to reach heights of 3-4 feet (1 m) and 1-2′ wide (60 cm) in optimum conditions.

When does a white turtlehead bloom?

White Turtlehead Physical Description. You will find this plant blooming anywhere from August through November depending on garden zone. Typically in shady, wet areas. Depending on conditions, it could be 2-4′ tall.

How long do you store white turtlehead seeds?

Collect seed heads several weeks after blooming, when the capsules begin to turn brown. Allow them to dry in a paper bag for several weeks until they begin to open up. Then, store in a refrigerator in a sealed container until planting. Seed heads and seeds of White Turtlehead, Chelone glabra.

What is the root of a white turtlehead?

White Turtlehead has a tap-root and rhizome roots. The rhizome roots allow it to form small colonies.

How tall is Chelone Glabra?

Scientifically known as Chelone glabra, you can expect this plant to reach heights of 3-4 feet (1 m) and 1-2′ wide (60 cm) in optimum conditions. I have found this plant growing in moist conditions, under the shade of Spicebush, Tulip Poplar, and Black Walnut.

How tall is a sage stalk?

The stalk is several feet tall, and generally won’t have any branching. It will be medium green in color.

Where does the name Turtlehead come from?

The common name ‘Turtlehead’ comes from the bloom resembling the head of a turtle. White Turtlehead is hardy from USDA zones 3-8, check your USDA zone here. Turtlehead is a host plant to the Baltimore Checkerspot.

When do turtleheads bloom?

The uniquely shaped flowers can be white, pink, red or purple depending on the species. Bloom time is late fall. They are followed by seed pods that start out green, turning brown as they mature. The seeds are tiny, only about 1/8 inch. Not all turtlehead species will self-sow in your garden.

How to grow turtlehead from seed?

Growing turtlehead from seed requires some patience and fresh seed. Collect the brown pods from your plants in the fall before they open and release their seeds. Finish drying them in a paper bag with slits cut in it to allow for air circulation. Surface sow the seeds in a container filled with pre-moistened soil.

What is Turtlehead?

Turtlehead ( Chelone spp.) is a flowering perennial plant that is native to Northeastern North America. It is usually found in forested areas along streams or in swamps or bogs. They are hardy in zones 3 – 9 with a range that extends from Minnesota to Florida.

How to divide turtlehead?

Division should be done in the spring when the shoots are at least 1 inch tall. Using a shovel, dig around the perimeter of the clump, gently loosening the soil. Once you have loosened the soil all the way around the clump, use your shovel to gently lever it out of the soil.

How to keep turtleheads wet?

Turtlehead likes to be wet, so it’s a good idea to prepare the garden space where you want to plant your divisions before you dig up the clump. Place the divisions in a bucket of water to keep them wet while you plant.

How tall do chelone plants grow?

They are hardy in zones 3 – 9 with a range that extends from Minnesota to Florida. There are five species of chelone, ranging in height from 1 – 5 feet tall. The cultivars commonly grown in our gardens usually grow only 2 – 3 feet. The leaves grow alternately along the stems. They are dark green, shiny and heavily toothed.

What does it mean to pin a plant?

Pinching refers to the practice of pruning or cutting an actively growing stem using your fingers or pruners. What this does is cut off the growing tip. When you cut off the growing tip, the plant is stimulated to replace it. The missing growing tip is often replaced by two or more new growing tips which produce two or more new stems or branches. The end result is a plant that is not as tall, but has multiple stems and branches making it less likely to topple over. It also makes the plant appear fuller and produce more flowers.

How does a turtle head grow?

Turtlehead grows from rhizomes, bul b-like stem s that spread horizontally underground. As the bulbous roots grow, they develop new plantlets. Turtlehead also grows from seed, and it will self-seed, too.

What is a pink turtlehead?

C. lyonii (pink turtlehead) is very comparable to C. oblique. C. lyonii, or "Hot Lips," is one of the more popular pink cultivars. As you can see from the above photos, its large, showy flowers are a vibrant pink. In summer, pink turtlehead develops flower heads that bloom mid-summer into early fall.

How much sun does a pink turtlehead need?

Chelone lyonii prefers full sun, about 6–8 hours of direct light per day. It will also grow well in partial sun, about 4–6 hours per day.

How to keep pink turtleheads from getting mildew?

Consistently moist soil and full or partial direct sunlight is key to keeping pink turtlehead mildew free. I failed to do that, allowing the soil to dry out over a summer that has been very hot.

What is the color of a Chelone?

Other species of the genus Chelone include C. glabra ( white turtlehead) and C. oblique (red turtlehead). C. glabra is the hardiest of the bunch, with white flowers that are sometimes tinged with color and a strong, sweet fragrance. C. lyonii (pink turtlehead) is very comparable to C. oblique. C. lyonii, or "Hot Lips," is one ...

When do pink turtleheads bloom?

Pink turtlehead ( Chelone lyonii) is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 3–8 that blooms in late summer and fall. Gorgeous in butterfly gardens, rain gardens and alongside ponds and other water features, it will naturalize if the conditions are right. Pink turtlehead is a good plant for rain gardens.

Can pink turtleheads grow in the sun?

Though pink turtlehead will never naturalize in our yard, it's growing well and continuing to spread (just a little) year after year.

turtlehead Interesting Notes

Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ commands attention with lustrous, deep green foliage topped in August and September with rose pink, turtle-head-shaped flowers. For most of the season, red square stems are a truly noticeable feature and bronze green early season growth is very distinctive.

Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' Growing and Maintenance Tips

Best grown in moist to wet, rich, humusy soils in part shade. Appreciates a good composted leaf mulch, particularly in sunny areas. Consider pinching back the stem ends in spring to reduce mature plant height, especially if growing plants in strongly shaded areas where they are more likely to need some support.

Facts

White Turtlehead Physical Description

• You will find this plant blooming anywhere from August through November depending on garden zone. Typically in shady, wet areas. Depending on conditions, it could be 2-4′ tall.

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White Turtlehead Growing Conditions

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