Fall Blooming Perennial – Turtlehead

Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ AKA: Pink Turtlehead

One of the prettiest fall blooming perennials is ‘Hot Lips Turtlehead’, or Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’.   They are great shade perennials, preferring moist soils.   Partial shade is recommended as it is considered to be a woodland plant.

During the growing season, it is a deep, deep green and makes a great background plant for other perennials or small shrubs.  Then it slowly starts to produce it’s snapdragon like  blossoms and then  in late August, medium pink blossoms brighten the garden.  It will sport its blossoms for several weeks, alas giving up to frost in late September or early October.

Reaching a mature height of 20″-24″ and 24″-36″ wide.  They are extremely well behaved, reaching their mature width and stopping there.  Don’t worry about deadheading since they will quit blooming with the frost.