Chelone obliqua, commonly known as Red Turtlehead, is an herbaceous perennial native to moist meadows, stream banks, and wet woods in the Central and Eastern United States. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and can spread out to 1 to 2 feet. The plant features upright stems with dark green, lance-shaped leaves. From mid to late summer, it produces dense spikes of tubular, two-lipped, deep pink to red flowers, each with a small yellow beard inside the lower lip. The flowers, which lack scent, are uniquely shaped to resemble a turtle’s head, hence the common name. Red Turtlehead is a valuable addition to rain gardens, water margins, and woodland gardens due to its preference for moist to wet conditions and its attractiveness to pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Red Turtlehead thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet, rich, humusy soil to flourish. It is adaptable to various soil pH levels, including neutral, alkaline, or acidic. While it can tolerate clay soils, proper drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. In cultivation, it is appreciated for its late-season blooms and its ability to attract wildlife. It is often used in naturalistic plantings and as an accent in perennial borders. Gardeners should be aware that in some conditions, it can spread aggressively through rhizomes.CC BY-SA 4.0