Chelone obliqua 'Tiny Tortuga'
Turtlehead
DESCRIPTION
TurtleheadChelone obliqua 'Tiny Tortuga'
A tiny turtlehead with all the flower power of its taller brothers, this native cultivar features uniquely shaped, hot pink blooms atop lustrous dark green leaves with a bronzy sheen. Flowers reminiscent of turtles' mouths persist from mid-summer into fall, a favorite of butterflies but distasteful to deer. Its very compact habit is a great choice for mixed containers, or let it spread ever so slowly in the landscape along pond and stream edges, rain gardens or perennial borders.
BENEFITS
Bright pink flowers shine above the deep green foliageAttracts butterflies, bumblebees and hummingbirds
Great for pond and stream edges, rain gardens or perennial borders
Bitter foliage is avoided by deer and rabbits
Dwarf compact habit, great for containers
NATIVE INFO
Native Range
Found in nutrient-rich leaf mold of the forest floor or creek bank.
Interesting Facts
Chelone (rhymes with "baloney") was a nymph in Greek mythology who insulted the gods by ridiculing or not attending (versions vary) the marriage of Zeus to Hera. The gods punished her by turning her into a turtle.
GROWING TIPS
Prefers deep, rich soil but other than that needs no special care other than consistent moisture.