Chelone glabra, commonly known as White Turtlehead, is a striking native perennial prized for its unique, snapdragon-like white flowers and upright growth habit. A beautiful choice for rain gardens, pollinator gardens, native plant gardens, wet meadows, woodland edges, and pond-side landscapes, White Turtlehead adds texture, structure, and late-season color to moisture-rich planting areas.
This adaptable perennial thrives in moist to wet soils and partial shade to full sun, making it an excellent choice for areas where many traditional garden plants may struggle. Its distinctive flowers are especially attractive to bees and butterflies, while its upright form and rich green foliage provide visual interest throughout the growing season. White Turtlehead is also an important host plant for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, adding valuable wildlife habitat to native plantings.
Whether you’re creating a rain garden, enhancing a wet area of your landscape, or adding native plants to a pollinator-friendly garden, Chelone glabra offers beauty, versatility, and ecological value. Its unique blooms pair beautifully with ferns, sedges, grasses, and other moisture-loving perennials.