Chelone glabra

Also Known As

Chelone obliqua 'Alba'
Snake Head
Turtle's Head
Turtlehead

Plant type

perennial, aquatic

size

H: 20"-32"
W: 16"-20"

planting zones

3a-9b

More Options

Chelone glabra plant details

Chelone glabra is a broadleaf deciduous perennial aquatic with green foliage. In fall and summer white flowers emerge. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in alkaline and gritty soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Chelone glabra

Plant type: perennial aquatic
Plant family: plantaginaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 16 IN - 20 IN - wide, 20 IN - 32 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cottage garden, cutting garden, woodland garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Chelone glabra

USDA Zones: 3a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: alkaline and gritty

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Chelone glabra has beautiful white to creamy white flowers that top sturdy stems of rich green foliage in late summer. Grow in partial or dappled sunlight (though in BC full sun is fine), consistently moist conditions, and a fertile loamy soil with abundant organic matter. Popular with butterflies.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

From creek-sides and marshes of the E. coast, these easily grown 1-4' wildflowers offer handsome foliage and intriguing white, ?grinning-turtle? flowers late in summer when there is often a dearth of flowers. S-PSh/M-W

By: Forestfarm

The white form of the "Pink Turtlehead".

By: Sunshine Farm and Gardens

A moisture loving native that is a welcome addition to rain gardens or anywhere its higher moisture needs can be met. New research indicates that native bees seek out the nectar when they have intestinal parasites, effectively eliminating them. Every bee garden should incorporate this beneficial native flower! Besides its valuable use in the garden, it is a beautiful plant, with a shrubby habit, glossy healthy foliage and spikes of flowers that are reminiscent of snapdragons, long ago described as looking like the head of a turtle. A late summer and fall bloomer for humus-rich, moist soil.

By: Select Seeds

The beautiful Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly catepillar relies exclusively on this rare wetland plant as a food source. The unique flower of Chelone glabra actually resembles a turtle's head. Create some butterfly habitat and enjoy the distinctive flowers by planting White Turtlehead! Hardy to Zones 3 - 8.