Dodecatheon

Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is one of those wildflowers that stops people in their tracks. Native to prairies, open woodlands, and meadows across much of eastern and central North America, it’s instantly recognizable by its striking, backward-swept petals that give the appearance of a tiny floral comet streaking toward the ground—hence the name “shooting star.”

Blooming in late spring to early summer, this perennial sends up slender stems from a low rosette of smooth, lance-shaped leaves. Each stem holds a cluster of nodding flowers, typically in shades of soft pink to lavender, though white forms also occur. The petals reflex sharply backward, exposing the pointed yellow and dark purple cone of stamens at the center. This unusual form isn’t just for show—it’s perfectly adapted for buzz pollination by bumblebees, which vibrate the flower to release pollen.

Shooting star grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. It’s grows well in naturalized plantings, rock gardens, and prairie restorations, where its unique blooms can be appreciated up close. Good companion palnts are native columbines, wild geraniums, and woodland phlox.

Once established, shooting star requires very little maintenance and will return year after year, often forming small colonies over time.

Beyond its ornamental value, Dodecatheon meadia is an important native plant for pollinators, particularly early-emerging bees. Its presence in a garden helps support biodiversity, and its graceful, otherworldly flowers offer a visual highlight during the spring bloom season.

Gardeners choose shooting star for its combination of wild elegance, ecological value, and sheer novelty. It’s not a plant you see in every garden, which makes it all the more special—and when those flowers appear, they have a way of making even the most seasoned gardener pause, smile, and take a second look.