Chelone Lyonii 'Hot Lips'

Hot Lips Turtlehead

Chelone lyonii ‘Hot Lips’ (Hot Lips Turtlehead)
A striking herbaceous perennial loved for its showy rosy-pink, turtle-head-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer through early fall, adding long-season color when many perennials are fading. The glossy, deep green foliage emerges bronze-tinted on new growth and provides a bold backdrop for the blooms.

Size:



Width: ~1–2 ft (12–24 in)



Height: ~2–3 ft (24–36 in)



Zones: 3–8

Light: Full sun to partial shade

Soil: Moist to wet, organically rich soils; tolerates average soils once established

Features:



Flowers: Rosy-pink, snapdragon-like, “turtle head” blooms on upright spikes in late summer to fall



Foliage: Glossy, deep green leaves with bronze new growth



Form: Upright clump-forming perennial



Attracts: Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds (nectar source)

Uses:
Mixed perennial borders, rain gardens, pond edges, moist woodland gardens, cutting gardens

Notes:
Thrives in consistently moist sites but becomes drought tolerant once established. Foliage remains attractive throughout the season, and the flowers provide late-season interest when many other perennials have finished blooming. 

Plant type

Perennial

Height

2'-3'

Width

1-2'

Hardiness zones

3–8

Sunlight

Full sun to part shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Early Fall, Summer

Flower color

Pink

Leaf color

Dark Spring Green

Fall color

Dark Spring Green

Attracts

Bees butterflies birds, Butterflies

Soil

Moist well-drained

Shape

Clump, Upright

Deer resistant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No