Shooting Star

Dodecatheon meadia

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) is a spring ephemeral plant with white or pink flowers mid- to late spring. They prefer sun to part sun but can tolerate some shade. Soil can be moist to dry, making them best suited for banks and slopes where they can grow to 2 feet tall. Interplant with species that fill in the voids left once dormant. Companion plants include Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis) and Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Maintenance

If needed, trim back surrounding dense vegetation in late spring to promote better growth. Nearby plants should be designed to fill in the gaps left behind when the plant goes dormant in the summer.

About

Light Requirements
Sun, Part Sun, Shade
Moisture Requirements
Banks, Slopes
Soil Requirements
Clay, Loam, Organically Rich Soil
Height
Short
Spacing
1 foot
Category
Seasonal
Attracts
Bees
Illinois Native Plant Status
Yes
Bloom Time
April, May
Bloom Color
Pink, White
Seasonality
Spring, Summer
Sociability
Groups of 10-20
Other Notable Cultivars & Varieties
Dodecatheon ‘Aphrodite’