Dodecatheon pulchellum (Dark Throat Shooting Star)
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.
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 |