White Turtlehead

Here at Nature Hills, we LOVE a unique plant. We've got one for the books here with White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) who's named for its resemblance to that of a turtle's head if you can believe it.

Where else to begin with this perennial other than its blossoms? You'll have to see them to believe it but we promise, every summer it'll produce pure white blooms that have an uncanny resemblance to that of its namesakes head.

Tearing your eyes away from the pretty petaled anomaly, you'll notice this native plant's next best quality. The blooms arrive on strong sturdy stalks that shoot up from gorgeous dark green foliage.

The leaves are elongated and ribbon-like, giving the garden it graces a bit of extra texture.

While your marveling at its shape, your local pollinators will be buzzing with excitement about the nectar inside. Butterflies and other beneficial pollinators are sure to stop by in droves!

If you've got a particularly swampy area of your garden, this plant is perfect. It tolerates wet soil much better than some other perennials.

It blooms in the later parts of summer and takes the idea of no white after labor day and throws it out the window. You'll appreciate the fresh pop of white as the season marches closer to fall!

Adding native plants to your garden doesn't have to be a boring affair with White Turtlehead! Order yours today before they're all snatched up!

How to Use White Turtlehead in the Landscape

Look, you could try adding a real turtle to your garden, but he'd be a lot more work and would probably wander off after a while. Instead, use this perennial lookalike for long-lasting appeal.

Plant in your perennial gardens as a subtle filler to connect the different colors already established.

You can also take it outside the flowerbed and use in a line as a border or throw it in with others for a mixed border.

If you've already started a native garden, you might want to add this perennial there to add to the natural plants and give your pollinators even more to feast on.

Small spaces are but a small obstacle for White Turtlehead. Its compact form works great in tight spaces like cottage gardens.

Bog gardens, often found by backyard ponds are another great place to use this perennial. Its tolerance for wet soils means it won't be bothered if you find your pond encroaching every so often.

#ProPlantTips for Care

The instruction list for this plant is short and simple. Find it a nice spot in part shade and well drained soil and it'll be happy as a turtle with a head of lettuce.

Should you home it in a place with wetter soil conditions, don't worry. This hardy perennial tolerates moist soil better than most.

These flowers spread by rhizomes and should be divided every third year to keep its growth vigorous and its blooming the brightest.

If you'd like, feel free to trim it down in the fall. However, if you get busy winterizing the rest of your garden, you can also leave it and come back in early spring before it starts to grow with your pruning shears.

When you plant a White Turtlehead, you're planting a readymade, low-maintenance conversation starter. Don't wait, order yours today from our expert growers at Nature Hills Nursery.