Moana Nursery High Desert Plant Finder & Guide
perennial

Hot Lips Turtlehead

Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips'

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Hot Lips Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips') at Moana Nursery

Hot Lips Turtlehead flowers

Hot Lips Turtlehead flowers

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Hot Lips Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips') at Moana Nursery

Hot Lips Turtlehead in bloom

Hot Lips Turtlehead in bloom

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  3 feet

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  4

Other Names:  Lyon's Turtlehead, Shellflower

Description:

Lush deep-green, shiny leaves topped with hot rosey-pink flowers which are shaped like little turtle heads; tolerant to moisture, this spreading plant is fantastic for stream edges and in bog gardens

Ornamental Features

Hot Lips Turtlehead has masses of beautiful hot pink hooded flowers at the ends of the stems from late summer to mid fall, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its glossy pointy leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Hot Lips Turtlehead is a dense herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spreading

Hot Lips Turtlehead is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Hot Lips Turtlehead will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 12 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Naturalizing  Bog 
Applications
Flowers 
Ornamental Features