Guide to growing garden plants - Chelone (Snake head, turtle head)
Chelone is a hardy perennial.
It grows in height from 90cm to 1.8m and flowers in late summer with white or pink flowers atop stiff stems.
Its height makes it an ideal plant for growing at the back of borders.
Chelone is also known as Snake head or Turtle head.
How to grow Snake head - Chelone
If planning to grow Snake head / Chelone outdoors it should be sown on the surface and lightly covered after the last frost of Spring. Chelone should be sown in a sunny or partially shaded area of the garden that has a rich and moist soil of pH 5 to 7. When growing Chelone indoors then the process should start about 7 or 8 weeks before they are to be put out; they can be transplanted either in the early spring or the autumn. Seedlings typically take about two to seven weeks to germinate at about 15 degrees Centigrade. The seedlings of Chelone should be planted out with a spacing of about 20 to 30cm.
Caring for Chelone in the garden
Once growing Chelone should be watered regularly; following flowering turtle head / Chelone should be cut down to the ground. If more Chelone is required then cuttings can be taken in the late spring or summer.