Chelone obliqua var. speciosa (Purple Turtlehead)

Sun to Light ShadeZone: 5-9, at least 36" tall Origin: USA

I remember falling in love with C. obliqua var. speciosa at Missouri's Shaw Nature Reserve back in the 1990's. After growing it for many years, we found it to be a superb garden specimen, and quite different than the more commonly grown pink-flowered C. lyonii. The somewhat stoloniferous clumps produce 3' tall stems, clothed with dark glossy green leaves and topped in September with mauvy-lavender turtleheads. C. obliqua var. speciosa ranges from MN (historically) south to AK, where it can be found in rich, moist, slightly shaded spots. In the garden, we find full sun results in the best flowers, and while it is drought tolerant, good moisture is well appreciated. Pot size: 24 fl. oz (709.77 ml)