Chelone 'Alba'

Chelone glabra 'Alba': White Turtlehead’s Woodland Grace

Elegant and quietly striking, Chelone 'Alba' offers crisp white, turtle-shaped blooms that rise above lush green foliage in late summer to early fall. These upright flower spikes bring brightness and structure to the shaded garden just when many perennials are winding down. With strong stems, deep green leaves, and a tidy clumping habit, it offers late-season beauty while attracting bumblebees and other pollinators. Moisture-loving and deer-resistant, it's especially at home in woodland or streamside settings.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–90 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming an upright clump
• Flower Colour: Bright white
• Flowering Period: Late summer to early fall
• Foliage: Dark green, lance-shaped leaves; clean and glossy
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full sun (with moisture)
• Soil Requirements: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil; thrives in consistently damp areas

Uses and Benefits: Chelone 'Alba' is a superb choice for brightening shady borders, rain gardens, or the edges of ponds and streams. Its sturdy stems and architectural blooms offer upright contrast to more flowing or spreading perennials. Its late bloom time supports pollinators well into fall, and it performs reliably in wet, difficult areas where few flowering perennials thrive.

Companion Plants: Plant alongside the silver-spotted foliage and pink blooms of Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash', the elegant fronds of Osmunda cinnamomea, and the chartreuse-edged leaves of Hosta 'June' for a rich woodland palette with texture, contrast, and layered shade interest.

Care Instructions: Grow in part shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water during dry spells, especially in sunnier locations. Cut back dead stems in late fall or early spring. Divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigour and shape. Mulch annually to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

History: A white-flowered selection of the North American native Chelone glabra, this cultivar preserves the species’ habitat adaptability while offering a cleaner, more refined bloom. Turtlehead has long been valued in naturalistic and pollinator-focused gardens for its resilience and late bloom.

Final Thoughts: With its crisp blooms and moisture-loving nature, Chelone 'Alba' adds both elegance and ecological value to shaded spaces—glowing quietly at summer’s end when the woodland garden comes alive again.