Unquestionably, it’s a unique flower that appears later in summer than many other perennials. Further, it makes the Hot Lips turtlehead a real eyecatcher in the landscape. The rosy-pink blooms are snapdragon-like and resemble the heads of open-mouthed turtles. They appear on big, tight spikes that emerge above the foliage. The Hot Lips is well-suited to fill in parts of the landscape where drainage is an issue and other plants often suffer.

A native to the eastern United States, turtleheads often grow along wetland borders and in moist woods, testifying to its preference for shade and moisture. This plant pairs well with dwarf shrubs.  It also lends a unique flair to cut flower arrangements. Use it as a groundcover in very wet areas, woodland plantings, and along stream banks.