Tiny Tortuga Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua 'Armtipp02' TINY TORTUGA)
kee-LO-nay ob-LEE-kwah 'Armtipp02' TINY TORTUGA

Deciduous Perennial Compact, Upright in the Plantaginaceae Family
Tiny Tortuga is a dwarf pink turtlehead bred for small gardens and containers, with dark, bronze-tinged foliage and the same turtle-mouthed blooms as its bigger relatives, just scaled down to about a foot and a half.

Chelone obliqua 'Tiny Tortuga' is a charming dwarf variety that boasts deep pink blooms, making it a standout choice for any garden. This compact perennial, reaching 18 inches in height and 12 inches in width, is great in containers and serves effectively as a garden border. Blooming from summer to fall, it adds vibrant color to late summer landscapes while its dark green foliage provides structure. Ideal for moist shade, 'Tiny Tortuga' thrives in woodland beds, native plantings, and rain gardens, and it can also be positioned at the edge of ponds or water gardens. As a pollinator-friendly plant that tolerates clay soils, Chelone obliqua 'Tiny Tortuga' is a versatile

Pros

  • True dwarf form (12-24in) that fits containers and small borders where other turtleheads are too large
  • Dark, bronze-tinged foliage looks good even before the late-summer flowers open
  • Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds
  • Deer and rabbit resistant

Cons

  • Needs consistently moist soil; struggles if allowed to dry out
  • Patented ('Armtipp02') - propagation by division or cuttings for resale is restricted
  • Can look sparse in its first year while establishing
Highlights
  • A true dwarf turtlehead - most relatives top 3ft, this one stays under 2ft
  • Patented selection (USPP25,350) bred by Gerardus Lentjes for Armada International
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 24 inches tall. 10 - 16 inches wide.
Growth Rate Medium
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium - Wet: Tolerates wet, boggy soil and sits well at pond or stream edges; not drought-tolerant.
Zones 4a - 9a (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Attracts Wildlife, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Fall interest, Filler, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Rabbit Resistant, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant
Bloom Period July To September
Flower Color Rose-Pink

Commonly Planted with...

Like other turtleheads, it looks at home among other moisture-loving perennials - Astilbe, ferns, Hosta, and Lobelia - though its compact size also suits a container or small bed on its own. (Carried over from general Chelone companion-planting guidance; no 'Tiny Tortuga'-specific companion source was found.)

Photos of This with...

Blush Satin Rose of Sharon, Double Stuff Solomon's Seal
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/13 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!