White Turtlehead
Chelone glabra
Also listed as Chelone chlorantha, Chelone montana
Also known as Turtlehead, Balmony, Snakehead
Climate Match for your location
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A native perennial with tall, upright stems and distinctive white snapdragon-like flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. It thrives in moist conditions and partial shade, making it excellent for bog gardens and woodland edges.
Why grow it
White turtlehead offers reliable mid to late summer bloom in shaded, wet sites where many ornamentals struggle, distinguishing it from drier-habitat alternatives like garden phlox. Its snapdragon-like flowers attract pollinators and provide late-season interest in bog gardens and along stream margins. Compared to the pink-flowered Chelone lyonii, the white form creates stronger contrast in shadier woodland settings.
Watch out for
Plants may take a season or two to establish and spread, so patience is needed before they fill their intended space. In drier conditions or full sun, flowering can be reduced and foliage may decline, even though the plant technically survives, making site selection more important than many perennials.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native perennial with tall, upright stems and distinctive white snapdragon-like flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. It thrives in moist conditions and partial shade, making it excellent for bog gardens and woodland edges.
Climate Match for your location
See how well White Turtlehead grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
White turtlehead offers reliable mid to late summer bloom in shaded, wet sites where many ornamentals struggle, distinguishing it from drier-habitat alternatives like garden phlox. Its snapdragon-like flowers attract pollinators and provide late-season interest in bog gardens and along stream margins. Compared to the pink-flowered Chelone lyonii, the white form creates stronger contrast in shadier woodland settings.
Watch out for
Plants may take a season or two to establish and spread, so patience is needed before they fill their intended space. In drier conditions or full sun, flowering can be reduced and foliage may decline, even though the plant technically survives, making site selection more important than many perennials.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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