Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wildflower Wednesday - Chelone lyonii

I think this Pink Turtlehead is a must have in a garden. It is such a great performer in shade or sun. A late bloomer as you can see. Once it is established you can just forget it is there. I have lots of shade so I am always looking for a plant that performs well here. This one does not disappoint. 
Luna excavated a small cavern right up to this clump of Turtleheads to keep cool and it hasn't shown any sign of wilting.  It's 3'tall stems are still showing some blooms through this drought too. The dark glossy leaves make a nice background for any plants in front of it. You can't deny those sassy pink lips with a little white tongue sticking out are sweet.
For more wildflower inspiration head over to Gail's at Clay and Limestone.

28 comments:

  1. I used to grow this plant when I had a garden in Ireland. It sent up suckers all over the place - I could hardly keep pace with it. Despite its wandering ways it had the most beautiful pink flowers at this time of year. Its good to know that this can grow in the shade.

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  2. Lisa, You give me hope that I might get this established here...Thank you. It surely is a good looking flower and might need to be planted here this fall. So glad you joined the celebration~gail

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  3. Hi Lisa, That's how chelone has been for me - carefree and reliable, blooming when a lot of other perennials have folded their tents. A must in the shade for sure!
    It must be happier in Ireland than Connecticut - not a sucker in 7 or 8 years...

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  4. I can just picture Luna seeking comfort on a hot day. Chelone is such a fun flower. I should try it to see if it can survive my very well-drained soil.

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  5. Lisa, this is one of the plants I first learned about blogging and fell in love with it. It is the firt year for it in my garden, but it's doing great-as you say even with the drought. Mine is in full sun and one of the few bloomers still showing color.

    Your post on our visitors was delightful. I am so glad you and DB came and I really apprecited all the help from both of you. Cheryl and Mr. P were so kind and generous and such fun. Can't wait to have a chance to visit with them again!

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  6. This a new one for me. Thanks for sharing. :-) David/ Tropical Texana/ Houston

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  7. What a neat plant and flower! Lips and tongue do describe it well. It is so pretty! I will have to see if it will live in zone 10.

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  8. I don't have any pink turtleheads here, Lisa, but after seeing your photos, I should rectify that. I do love those pink blooms. But the best recommendation of all is knowing that it can survive a little canine disturbance:)

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  9. I must try to get some Chelone started again. It is a great shade plant, and when established such a delight in the fall garden. Planted under a maple we can get a really good clash of pink and red leaf clash - so pretty.

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  10. Hi Lisa, yawn yawn. Sorry that sounded rude, not yawning at your post, just trying to keep awake till bedtime.

    I love the pink turtlehead, it seems to be a good all rounder. As Rose says if it can cope with canine disturbance then that is a bonus......

    It is cold and wet here and feeling very autumnal. Is it still hot with you??


    Have a lovely weekend. I

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  11. A very lovely flower. Do the bugs go for it?
    The pink flowers would look so pretty with my asters.
    Sherry

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  12. Cheryl, It has finally cooled down. It is only supposed to get up to 80 today. Yay..No rain yet. We are ever hopeful though. I hope you got a good nights sleep by now.

    Sherry, The bees and hummers both love this flower. Its a natural.

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  13. Lisa,
    Isn't it nice to have one of those must-haves that does well in sun or shade!

    And what a pretty pink!
    Meems

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  14. Late bloomers are beautiful--and they keep us coming outdoors. That is a gem, Lisa.

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  15. Lisa I had this plant ages ago and some how I remember pulling it up but missed putting it down some where .. now you have me rethinking that mistake and getting some for next year ! : )
    Joy

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  16. I'm with you on the chelone, Lisa. I have several big clumps of them in my gardens, and they're so wonderful at this time of year. I especially love the way bees get inside the flowers and make a wonderful concert with their buzzing.

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  17. This flower looks so delicate, but is such a warrior, from what you say!
    Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment!

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  18. Any plant with such a funny common name must be worth growing. I haven't seen it around up here, but that might not mean anything other than Alaska is a little behind when it comes to unusual plant sources.

    Christine in Alaska, no turtleheads

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  19. Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I don't have this lovely anywhere that I know of. I imagine we'll be having more caverns excavated here soon too.~~Dee

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  20. I have never seen this cute tiny flower before and thank you for sharing it to us.

    You had have a great tours with your friends Lisa, friends are the best!

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  21. Lisa great one for my NEW shad garden among the wooods! NO i am NOT settled into my new nest as of yet. Oct 15th will be moving date.
    Nice to come by and visit!It is my business that keeps me from blogging regularly!However it is going strong!hugs

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  22. Hi Lisa, I agree, turtlehead is a wonderful late-blooming plant. Mine is in a fairly shady location and it's still rockin' out blooms.

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  23. We don't have that plant in the tropics, but there are some which resemble that. I specifically appreciate the DOF of your photo. and thanks.

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  24. The late bloomers hold a special place in my garden...they are worth waiting for, yes?

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  25. I have a big clump of chelone and it was beautiful this year, but I think today is the day I cut it back.

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  26. i like that first photo, though we don't have that plant here. I love also shooting wildflowers, though i need a macro lens which will give justice to them, not now yet.

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  27. Such a pretty shade of pink & it sounds like a wonderful care free plant!

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  28. The late bloomers are precious in the garden. I'll look for Chelone to add to mine. Anything pink is a welcome addition to my garden, and if the bees love it that's even better.

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