Turtlehead, Hot Lips Turtlehead

Hot Lips Turtlehead is a stiffly erect native herbaceous perennial with red stems and coarsely toothed lace-shaped foliage that emerges bronze and matures to dark green.  The hooded rose pink two lipped flowers bloom on tight spike-like terminals from late summer into fall.  Flowers best in part shade and moist to wet rich well-drained soils.  Tolerates drought and heavy shade.

Type:	Perennial
Origins:	Southern Appalachian Mountains
Height:	2' - 4'
Spread:	1.5’ - 2.5'
Spacing:	2'
USDA Hardiness Zone:	3 - 8
Culture:	Full Sun, Part Sun
Bloom Color:	Pink
Season of Interest:	Summer, Fall

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: Low Maintenance.  Some susceptibility to mildew if soils too dry or lack air circulation.  May need staking if grown in too deep of shade.
LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Garden, Foundation Plantings, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Cardinal Flower, Marsh Marigold, Blue Flag

IMAGES: Photoset by Jim, the Photographer, Chelone Hot Lips (Chelone lyonii), (2) Backyard Flower - Chelone "Hot Lips" Turtlehead (Chelone lyonii), (2) Photo by F. D. Richards, Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips', 2017

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.