Chelone obliqua

RHS Plant Profile
twisted shell flower

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Herbaceous Perennial
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An erect perennial to 60cm tall, with prominently veined and toothed leaves, and compact spikes of dusky deep pink or purple flowers 2cm long

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Plantaginaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Chelone are herbaceous perennials with undivided, paired leaves and short terminal spikes of showy, 2-lipped, tubular flowers opening from late summer to early autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in deep fertile, moist soil in partial shade or sun. Tolerant of heavy clay soil, may also be grown in a bog garden; apply a deep mulch of organic matter in mid-spring

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in early spring; by division in spring; root soft tip cuttings in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Deadhead flower spikes as they fade

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free