Chelone 'Black Ace'

Chelone glabra 'Black Ace': Bold Contrast in a Late-Season Shade Star

With upright stems, crisp white blooms, and darkly toned foliage, Chelone 'Black Ace' brings striking contrast and architectural form to the late-season shade garden. Its turtle-shaped flowers appear in late summer, held above rich, bronzed foliage that deepens in colour as the season progresses. Perfect for adding structure, height, and pollinator appeal to damp or shaded sites, this cultivar blends native reliability with ornamental flair.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 75–90 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming an upright, well-branched clump
• Flower Colour: Bright white
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early fall
• Foliage: Dark green flushed with purple; lance-shaped and glossy
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full sun (with consistent moisture)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; tolerant of heavy or clay soils

Uses and Benefits: 'Black Ace' is ideal for moist borders, rain gardens, or woodland edges where bold colour and late-season interest are welcome. Its upright habit makes it an excellent background or structural plant in layered shade designs, while its clean white flowers draw pollinators well into fall. This selection is particularly effective in monochromatic or high-contrast planting schemes.

Companion Plants: Pair with the smoky foliage and bottlebrush blooms of Cimicifuga 'Chocoholic', the soft white plumes of Astilbe chinensis 'Diamonds and Pearls', and the cool-toned, arching blades of Carex flacca 'Blue Zinger' for a refined and texturally rich shade composition.

Care Instructions: Plant in part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water consistently, especially in drier periods. Cut back stems in late fall after frost or leave for winter interest and pollinator shelter. Divide every few years in spring to maintain clump vigour and form.

History: A selected form of the North American native Chelone glabra, 'Black Ace' was introduced for its darker-toned foliage and refined flower contrast. It brings a contemporary edge to a native species valued for its wildlife support and wet site adaptability.

Final Thoughts: With clean white blooms and dark-toned foliage, Chelone 'Black Ace' strikes a dramatic note in late-summer shade—bridging elegance and ecology in one handsome clump.