Chelone 'Hot Lips'

Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips': A Bold Statement of Late-Summer Color

Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips', a standout cultivar of the Turtlehead family, is celebrated for its vibrant pink blooms and robust, upright growth. This perennial favorite brings a splash of bold color to the late-summer garden, with its unique, snapdragon-like flowers and lush, dark green foliage. Perfect for adding depth and interest to rain gardens, woodland edges, or as an eye-catching component in perennial borders, 'Hot Lips' thrives in moist conditions, creating an eye-catching display of rich, lively beauty.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Reaching a height of 60-90 cm, 'Hot Lips' is ideal for adding vertical interest and a pop of vivid color within garden designs, where its striking blooms can be admired from a distance.
• Spread: It forms a substantial clump, spreading approximately 45-60 cm wide, offering generous ground coverage and introducing a lush, textured element to the garden landscape.
• Flower Colour: The blooms are a deep, rosy pink, shaped distinctly like a turtle's head, appearing in dense clusters that crown the stems from late summer into fall.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from late summer to early fall, Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips' offers a refreshing display of color when many other plants begin to fade, extending the garden's blooming season.
• Foliage: Its foliage is a rich, glossy green, lance-shaped, providing a vibrant backdrop for the flowers and contributing to the plant's overall visual appeal throughout the growing season.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun in cooler climates, especially when planted in consistently moist soils that mimic its natural woodland habitat.
• Soil Requirements: Thrives in moist, well-drained soil, rich in organic matter. 'Hot Lips' is particularly well-suited for areas of the garden that tend to stay wet, making it an excellent choice for rain gardens and waterside plantings.

Uses and Benefits: Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips' is not only visually striking but also environmentally beneficial. Its affinity for moist conditions makes it ideal for managing wet areas in the landscape, while its late-summer blooms attract pollinators such as butterflies and bees, enhancing the garden's biodiversity.

Companion Plants: Pair with other moisture-loving plants like Astilbe, Ligularia, and Lobelia to create a lush, vibrant garden display. The vivid pink of 'Hot Lips' beautifully complements the varied textures and colors of these companions, creating a cohesive and visually appealing waterside or woodland garden.

Care Instructions: Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips' is low maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. Water regularly to maintain consistently moist soil, especially in areas with less natural rainfall. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and keep the root zone cool. Pruning spent flower spikes can encourage a tidy appearance but is generally not necessary for the health of the plant.

History: With its origins in the moist woodlands and stream banks of Eastern North America, Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips' brings the wild beauty of its native habitat into the garden. Its selection for the deep rosy pink blooms has made it a favorite among gardeners looking for plants that offer late-season color and a robust, easy-care nature.

Final Thoughts: Chelone obliqua 'Hot Lips', with its bold rosy blooms and love for moist environments, serves as a stunning focal point in any garden. Whether used to enhance a rain garden, brighten a woodland border, or simply to enjoy its vibrant late-summer beauty, 'Hot Lips' adds a touch of drama and ecological balance to the garden, inviting all who visit to admire its striking appearance and the lively splash of color it brings to the landscape.