wetland wildflower

White turtlehead

Chelone glabra

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Newfoundland to Minnesota, south to Georgia and northeastern Arkansas

Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
Zones 3–8 Cold to heat range
Bloom Aug–Sep Flowering time
Height up to 6 ft to 1.8 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

In the garden

A wetland wildflower for sun through shade and consistently moist to wet soil. Its white and pink flowers peak in September. At up to 6 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 3–8.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The White turtlehead's white and pink flowers bloom August to September, peaking in September. This early-fall display draws bees and butterflies.

White turtlehead blooms white & pinkFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Eastern Carpenter Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee +8 more
American Bumble Bee, Pure Green Sweat bee, Bombus fervidus, Half-black Bumble Bee, Northern Amber Bumble Bee, Yellow-banded Bumble Bee, Xylocopa virginica virginica, Bombus vagans vagans
Butterflies Red-spotted Admiral also Zabulon Skipper, Euphydryas phaeton
Flower flies Transverse-banded Flower Fly also Banded Thintail
Also visited by
- Wasps: Eastern Yellowjacket, Common Aerial Yellowjacket
- Hummingbirds: Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Beetles: Goldenrod Soldier Beetle

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Baltimore checkerspotcaterpillar host
Common buckeyecaterpillar host

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (30): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (6): NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Newfoundland to Minnesota, south to Georgia and northeastern ArkansasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–8 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Light, rich, wet to moist soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).

Growth & form

Height: up to 6 ft (to 1.8 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Aug–SepWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, PinkThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: Capsule; ripens Aug–NovThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.