Rain Garden Plants: White Turtlehead
This interesting, native perennial forms colonies and adds late-season color from summer to fall. Erect stems are topped by clusters of white to pinkish, tubular, two-lipped flowers resembling a turtle's head. Its dark green leaves are hairless, finely toothed, and grow opposite on the stem. The oval fruit capsule contains flat brown seeds. It attracts bumblebees, other pollinators, and hummingbirds, and is the larval host for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly. Because its foliage is bitter, it is usually avoided by deer and other mammals.
- Height: 24 to 36 inches
- Bloom color: White
- Bloom time: August to October
- Hardiness zone: 4 to 8
- Salt tolerance: Not tolerant
- Spreading habit: Slowly spreads by rhizomes
Site Conditions
- Sun: Partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
- Hydrologic zone: Wet/moist; inundation tolerant
Sources
Jull, Laura G. “Winter Salt Injury and Salt-Tolerant Landscape Plants." Madison: University of Wisconsin-Extension, 2009.
Missouri Botanical Garden. "Plant Finder."
Prepared by Jessica Chou, Jodi Sulpizio, and Constance Schmotzer. Finalized by Jodi Sulpizio.
For a printable PDF version of this article, contact Jodi Sulpizio at jrb143@psu.edu.
