Chelone glabra-Turtle head

Description

The oval shaped white flowers really do look like turtle heads. In fact, the genus Chelone nods to the reptilian order Chelonia, which includes the turtles and tortoises. Like turtles, this plant likes to live in wet areas; in the wild I typically find it growing along the shady margins of streams and wetlands. Will grow well in upland gardens, as long as there is ample moisture retention provided by organic matter. This is a good later season bee plant; the bees have to work a little harder to get to the good stuff. It’s interesting to watch them part the upper and lower lobes of the flower to reach the pollen inside.

2 gal size, $16.00 (Organically grown from seed, MOFGA certified)