Species Japanese turtlehead
pink flower with green leaves and stems

Japanese turtlehead

Chelonopsis yagiharana

The Japanese turtlehead is an amazing plant species to behold. Its narrow, pointed leaves and delicate white flowers with purple and yellow centers make it a unique addition to any garden. It's hardy, surviving in full to partial sun, and despite its name, it's capable of growing in many different climates. It blooms in summer and fall, making it an excellent plant to add some color in your garden. Additionally, the blooms are attractive to bees and butterflies, making it great for boosting pollination. It's also relatively low maintenance, needing only light pruning and regular watering during dry spells. With its unique beauty, versatility, and hardiness, the Japanese turtlehead is truly an amazing addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 9

Flowers:

Purple-pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese turtlehead (Chelonopsis yagiharana) is a fast-growing, strong-growing, and drought-tolerant. It does best in full sun and moist soil, requiring approximately 1–2 inches of water per week in the hottest months. During the cooler months, it is best to water the plant less frequently, about every 10–14 days, to prevent over-watering. As with all plants, be sure to inspect the soil moisture levels before watering, as waterlogged soil can potentially harm this plant species.

sunlight

Japanese turtlehead (Chelonopsis yagiharana) prefer moderately bright light, with some shade. These plants can tolerate up to 4 hours of direct sun, but should not be exposed to midday sun in the hottest summer months. The best way to provide enough light for your plant is to locate it in a spot with east or west facing windows, or shaded south-facing windows. Just remember to protect these plants from intense sunlight, especially during their resting period in winter. For best results, keep your Japanese turtlehead in the same light conditions year-round.

pruning

Japanese turtlehead should be pruned in late fall, after the plant has gone dormant. While pruning, remove any dead or diseased stems that have visible signs of damage, such as yellowing leaves or spots. Prune roughly 1-third of the plant's stems. This includes any stems that appear thin or weak, or that have grown excessively long. Additionally, Japanese turtlehead may need to be lightly trimmed during the growing season to keep it looking neat.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Japanese turtlehead typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and June.

Starts Flowering

Japanese turtlehead typically starts flowering in late spring or early summer, usually between May and June.

Hardiness Map