Create Your Garden

Dodecatheon clevelandii (Padre’s Shooting Star)

Padre's Shooting Star, Padre's Shootingstar, Primula clevelandii

Dodecatheon clevelandii, Padre's Shooting Star, Padre's Shootingstar, Primula clevelandii, California Native Perennial, California Native plants, Purple Flowers
Dodecatheon clevelandii, Padre's Shooting Star, Padre's Shootingstar, Primula clevelandii, California Native Perennial, California Native plants, Purple Flowers
Dodecatheon clevelandii, Padre's Shooting Star, Padre's Shootingstar, Primula clevelandii, California Native Perennial, California Native plants, Purple Flowers
Dodecatheon clevelandii, Padre's Shooting Star, Padre's Shootingstar, Primula clevelandii, California Native Perennial, California Native plants, Purple Flowers
dodecatheon clevelandii

Dodecatheon clevelandii (Padre’s Shooting Star) is a clump-forming perennial boasting umbels of 2-16 brilliant magenta to white flowers, 1 in. long (2 cm), resembling cyclamen blooms. Each delicate flower has 4-5 swept-back petals adorned with a white collar at their base and a yellow ring, under which five stamens join to form a downward-pointing beak. Blooming from winter to mid-spring, the charming blossoms are borne on upright, leafless, flower scapes that rise from a basal rosette of broad, rounded, light-green leaves. The entire plant dies down by midsummer, but it comes back with the rains. Padre’s Shooting Star is one of the most beautiful spring wildflowers. A colony of these plants in bloom is a sight to behold. A delightful addition to any garden.

  • Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 4 in. wide (10 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in nutrient-rich, well-drained soils. Tolerates clay soils. Needs moisture during the growing season and dry conditions when dormant in summer.
  • Excellent choice for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs and roses, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, or rock gardens.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails.
  • Propagate by root division or seed. Plant seeds preferably in fall. Seedlings take four or more years to mature and flower. Rootstocks should be divided in fall, making sure each piece has at least one bud.
  • Native to California and Baja California.

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Primulaceae
Genus Dodecatheon
Common names Shooting Star
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid)
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 3" - 4"
(8cm - 10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Dodecatheon (Shooting Star) to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Dodecatheon jeffreyi (Sierra Shooting Star)
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting Star)
Dodecatheon hendersonii (Californian Cyclamen)
Dodecatheon pulchellum (Dark Throat Shooting Star)

Recommended Companion Plants

Sidalcea malviflora (Checker Bloom)
Dichelostemma capitatum (Blue Dicks)
Ranunculus californicus (California Buttercup)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

20 Spring Wildflowers to Create a Dazzling Garden
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 11
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Primulaceae
Genus Dodecatheon
Common names Shooting Star
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid)
Winter
Height 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spread 3" - 4"
(8cm - 10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, California
Tolerance Clay Soil
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Dodecatheon (Shooting Star) to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Dodecatheon clevelandii (Padre’s Shooting Star) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Dodecatheon clevelandii (Padre’s Shooting Star) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone