Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’
Blooming Time
Exposure
Bearing rose-pink turtle-head-shaped 1-inch long midsummer to fallborne flowers, this very hardy native (of Virginia to North Carolina westward to Tennessee and Georgia) is also lovely for its rich glossy green 3 to 7-inch long, sharply pointed foliage. An excellent perennial for massing as a ground cover or for accent in a perennial border, this superb selection tolerates moist soils and can be counted upon for years of reliable service.
Details
Hardiness Zone:
Blossom Color:
Rose to Pink
Growth Habit:
Clump Forming
Max Height:
3'
Texture:
Recommended Spacing:
We sell this plant in these containers:
Special Characteristics
Features
Slow spreading habit of shiny deep green leaves topped late summer and fall with masses of turtle-head-shaped rose-pink flowers.
Landscape Value
Moderate to large scale ground cover, edging, companion or accent plant. Fabulous late season color. Native cultivar.
Care
Watering:
'Hot Lips' Turtle-head requires a fair amount of supplemental watering and often requires watering on a regular basis during the growing season.
Fertilizing:
'Hot Lips' Turtle-head is a moderate feeder, benefiting from a couple of annual applications of slow release fertilizer. A spring application of a 3-1-2 ratio (such as a 15-5-10) can be applied at a rate of about 10 pounds per 1000 square feet, and during early fall, an application of a 2-1-2 ratio (such as a 10-5-10) can be applied to encourage root development and cold hardiness.
Pruning:
'Hot Lips' Turtle-head should be enjoyed all winter long, then, during early April before it begins to grow again, it should be pruned or mowed back to ground level.