'Tiny Tortuga' is a compact, showy cultivar of the U.S native Chelone obliqua; commonly referred to as red turtlehead, this species is found in wetter, low-lying areas throughout the southeastn and the midwest, with a few colonies in western Maryland. Although this species' flowers tend more towards dark pink than red, they are darker in shade than close relative Chelone lyonii, and 'Tiny Tortuga' lives up to its name, typically growing to only 18-24" tall and wide, with vibrant, showy flowers in a compact size much smaller than other turtlehead varieties. This dwarf cultivar grows best in sun and lighter, moist to wet soils but tolerates clay and is more adaptable to hot summer heat than its close relatives. Slowly spreading rhizomatic roots combined with compact plant size makes 'Tiny Tortuga' an equally great choice for containers and small gardens as it does for erosion control and wetland plantings. Chelone obliqua's showy dark-pink flowers bloom late summer into fall and attract a number of pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Though 'Tiny Tortuga' is an ornamental cultivar, the straight species Chelone obliqua is considered rare in Maryland and backyard ornamental plantings may be especially beneficial for native pollinator species.
