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Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting star)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.2m
Max height
Max height
0.15m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Dodecatheon meadia
Other names
Shooting star, American cowslip, Common American cowslip, Compass plant, Gentlemen and ladies, Indian chief, Johnny jump, Lambs' noses, Mead's dodecatheon, Prairie cyclamen, Prairie pointer, Pride of Ohio
Genus
Dodecatheon Dodecatheon
Species
D. meadia - D. meadia is a small clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of oblong light-green leaves. In spring, on upright stems, it bears pale-pink, cup-shaped leaves with reflexed petals that turn upwards after fertilisation.
Dodecatheon meadia is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Mat Forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Pale-pink in Spring
Foliage
Pale-green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting star) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.15m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grown in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Plant dies back quickly after flowering but is herbaceous so will return.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Dodecatheon meadia
Other names
Shooting star, American cowslip, Common American cowslip, Compass plant, Gentlemen and ladies, Indian chief, Johnny jump, Lambs' noses, Mead's dodecatheon, Prairie cyclamen, Prairie pointer, Pride of Ohio
Genus
Dodecatheon Dodecatheon
Species
D. meadia - D. meadia is a small clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with a basal rosette of oblong light-green leaves. In spring, on upright stems, it bears pale-pink, cup-shaped leaves with reflexed petals that turn upwards after fertilisation.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Mat Forming
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Pale-pink in Spring
Foliage
Pale-green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Dodecatheon meadia (Shooting star) will reach a height of 0.2m and a spread of 0.15m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Woodland
Cultivation
Grown in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Plant dies back quickly after flowering but is herbaceous so will return.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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