Growing zones
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Hot Lips Turtlehead is your go-to for dreary late-summer days. As other plants fade, this pink turtlehead springs to life, offering a three to six-week bloom period. Its pink flowers are an irresistible snack bar for pollinators including bumblebees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Plant it and watch your garden come alive with vibrant activity. Whether you plant it by a pond, in wet meadows, or among your flower beds, it thrives in moist soil and is remarkably low-maintenance.
This deer-resistant plant stays stunning without much fuss. For best results, plant in full sun with consistent moisture. It’s an excellent choice for edging, container gardening, and enhancing wet meadows, adding charm wherever it grows. The dark green foliage of Chelone lyonii Hot Lips provides a perfect contrast to its rosy blooms.
Add a Pop of Color with Hot Lips Turtlehead Transform your garden with Hot Lips Turtlehead from McKay Nursery, where our plants thrive in Wisconsin's tough conditions, ensuring unmatched hardiness. Enjoy vibrant pink blooms and shiny bronze-green leaves that attract pollinators and resist pests. Perfect for flower beds, ponds, and woodland edges, this unique plant is a showstopper!
For more information, contact us at [email protected] or call us at 920-478-2121. Choose McKay Nursery for top-quality, home-grown beauty and make your garden the envy of the neighborhood.
- Part Sun/Shade, Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
22-26" x 22-26" 
Bloom Season:
Summer, Fall
- Attracts Bees
- Attracts Birds
- Deer Resistant
- Native
- Award Winning
- Attracts Butterflies
- Cut Flower
- Attracts Pollinators
Planting & Care for Hot Lips Turtlehead Plant
Preparation
- Hot Lips Turtlehead requires wet soils, so it must be watered if regular natural water is scarce. Mulching around the Chelone lyonii hot lips will help conserve moisture.
- Pinch stems in spring to prevent leggy growth and avoid staking.
- Plants may be divided every few years.
- Remove seed heads if preventing self-seeding is desired.
Opening Plant Material
- Containers: Completely saturate all containers by putting them in a larger container of water until the water stops bubbling, then remove them. You’re now ready to plant.
Planting containers
- Plant in March, May or November.
- Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- Trim the bottom 2" off the root ball with a shovel or knife in plastic containers.
Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
Place the root ball in the hole. - Notice where the base of the trunk flairs out from the tree. This is called the root flair. This root flair should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flair is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
Pruning - After Planting
- Containers: Although it is not essential for B&B or grow bags or containers to be pruned after planting, light pruning for shape, removing any broken branches from shipping, or thinning out a heavily branched plant will help in the transplanting process and in the appearance of your new planting.
Watering - After Planting
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water them as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the 6-week establishment period, water is used once per week unless rain occurs.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Hot Lips Turtlehead plants like sun or shade?
Are Turtlehead plants invasive?
How do I propagate Hot Lips Turtlehead?
How can I use Hot Lips Turtlehead in landscaping?
What are good companion plants for Hot Lips Turtlehead?
Additionally, plants, such as ligularia, can provide contrasting foliage and help create a cohesive and visually appealing garden design. These companion plants thrive in similar growing conditions, making them ideal partners for Hot Lips Turtlehead.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.