Midland Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia) — Care, Growing Conditions & Wildlife Value

Growing Conditions

Light Sun – Part Shade

Water Medium

Soil Any

Size 1-1.5'

Bloom Pink, Apr–May

Why Grow It

Early Bloomer Blooms early, providing critical spring nectar

Deer Resistant Great for gardens without fencing

Self-Seeding Returns each year from dropped seeds

Did You Know?

The genus name Dodecatheon means 'twelve gods' in Greek — ancient botanists believed this exquisite flower was under the care of the twelve Olympian deities.

Bees pollinate Shooting Stars through 'buzz pollination' — they vibrate their bodies against the flower to shake pollen from the narrow stamen tube, since the plant produces no nectar.

Flower color varies naturally within any population from deep purple to pink to white, with northern populations tending toward purple and southern ones toward white.