Alphabetical Plant Listing

Dodecatheon pulchellum (Dark Throat Shooting Star)

Dark Throat Shooting Star, Few-flower Shooting Star, Western Shooting Star, Dodecatheon littorale, Dodecatheon pulchellum radicatum, Dodecatheon radicatum


Dodecatheon pulchellum (Dark Throat Shooting Star) is a charming herbaceous perennial boasting umbels of 8-20 brilliant magenta to deep cerise flowers, 1 in. long (2 cm), resembling cyclamen blooms. Each flower has 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 late spring to early summer, the charming blossoms are borne on upright, leafless, flower scapes that rise from a basal rosette of lance-shaped, deep green leaves. The entire plant dies down when summer arrives. Dodecatheon pulchellum 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.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 12 in. tall (30 cm) and 4 in. wide (10 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun or part shade in humus-rich, moist, well-drained soils. Avoid poorly-drained, wet soils, particularly in winter. Needs moisture during the growing season and dry conditions when dormant.
  • Excellent choice for beds and borders, underplanting shrubs and roses, cottage gardens, woodland gardens, or rock gardens.
  • Virtually disease free. Keep an eye out for slugs and snails.
  • Propagate by seed in pots in an open frame as soon as seed is ripe; seed needs exposure to cold before it will germinate or propagate by division in spring.
  • Native to western North America to Mexico.

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Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 7
Heat Zones 2 – 8
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Dodecatheon - Shooting Stars
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm)
Spread 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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By Nick Pecker, Shutterstock

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.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 7
Heat Zones 2 – 8
Climate Zones 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Dodecatheon - Shooting Stars
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early)
Height 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm)
Spread 3" – 4" (7cm – 10cm)
Spacing 4" (10cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Native Plants United States, Alaska, California, Midwest, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Rocky Mountains, Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Clay Soil
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

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