How much light does Balmony need?

Balmony grows well in part shade to part sun and can also tolerate deeper shade if the soil stays consistently moist. It struggles in full, hot sun unless water is abundant.

How much water does Balmony require?

This plant needs consistently high moisture and does well along stream banks, in wet meadows, and in low-lying garden spots that stay damp through the growing season.

When does Balmony bloom?

Balmony typically flowers from July through September, with white to pale pink, snapdragon-like blossoms opening along upright stems.

What pollinators visit Balmony flowers?

Bees, including bumblebees strong enough to push open the closed flower lips, along with butterflies, are the main visitors and pollinators of Balmony.

Is Balmony a good plant for a wet garden bed or rain garden?

Yes, its tolerance for high moisture and part shade makes it a good fit for rain gardens, pond edges, and other consistently damp planting areas.

Is Balmony HOA-friendly?

Balmony takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Balmony

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Chelone glabra

Last reviewed: September 2026

Balmony (Chelone glabra) is a moist-soil perennial forb that produces white to pink-tinged, turtlehead-shaped flowers from July through September, growing best in part shade with consistently wet soil.

Toxicity unknown

Balmony (Chelone glabra) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

high

Size

12"–48" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 25 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Deer

Resistant (per Prairie Moon Nursery)

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Balmony is a native perennial wildflower that produces distinctive white, snapdragon-like flowers from summer into fall. This moisture-loving plant forms neat clumps with glossy green foliage and thrives in partially shaded, consistently moist areas.

Growing Balmony

Grow Balmony in part shade and high water. Mature plants reach 12 to 48 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Balmony takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Requires consistently wet conditions that may be impractical in maintained landscapes
Wildflower appearance may not meet formal landscaping standards
Dies back completely in winter leaving bare ground

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers attract bees and butterflies, particularly specialized native bees that can access the unique flower structure. It serves as a host plant for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly.

Common questions

How much light does Balmony need?: Balmony grows well in part shade to part sun and can also tolerate deeper shade if the soil stays consistently moist. It struggles in full, hot sun unless water is abundant.
How much water does Balmony require?: This plant needs consistently high moisture and does well along stream banks, in wet meadows, and in low-lying garden spots that stay damp through the growing season.
When does Balmony bloom?: Balmony typically flowers from July through September, with white to pale pink, snapdragon-like blossoms opening along upright stems.
What pollinators visit Balmony flowers?: Bees, including bumblebees strong enough to push open the closed flower lips, along with butterflies, are the main visitors and pollinators of Balmony.
Is Balmony a good plant for a wet garden bed or rain garden?: Yes, its tolerance for high moisture and part shade makes it a good fit for rain gardens, pond edges, and other consistently damp planting areas.
Is Balmony HOA-friendly?: Balmony takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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