Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips'
Hot Lips Turtlehead
- Family
- Plantaginaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3 feet
- Width
- 1 to 2 feet
- Flower color
- Deep pink
- Foliage color
- Emerges bronze, matures to deep green
- Bloom time
- Late summer to early fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Prefers moist to wet soils; tolerates average moisture once established
- Maintenance
- Low; deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 3 to 8
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds; deer resistant
About this plant
Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips' is a perennial native to the southeastern United States, particularly found in moist woodlands and along stream banks. This cultivar is notable for its deep pink, hooded flowers that resemble a turtle's head, blooming from late summer into early fall. The blossoms are arranged in dense spikes atop sturdy, reddish stems, providing a vibrant display during a time when many other perennials have finished flowering.
A distinguishing feature of 'Hot Lips' is its foliage, which emerges with a bronze tint in spring before maturing to a lustrous deep green. This rich foliage contrasts beautifully with the vivid pink flowers. Additionally, 'Hot Lips' is known to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, enhancing its value in pollinator-friendly gardens. Its preference for moist soils makes it an excellent choice for areas such as stream edges, bog gardens, or other damp locations.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Rain Gardens
Companion plants
Lungworts · Daylilies · Japanese anemones · Bleeding hearts · Catmint · Heucheras
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the Oregon trial garden at Monrovia.
