Amethyst Shooting Star (Dodecatheon amethystinum)

Amethyst Shooting Star (Dodecatheon amethystinum)

Amethyst Shooting Star looks almost unreal in bloom. Each flower turns itself completely inside out, with swept-back petals in shades of pink and lavender and a tight, pointed cluster of yellow and maroon anthers hanging below. The effect is almost cosmic or otherworldly, hence the name shooting star. It's one of the most distinctive spring flowers you can grow, words can't describe how truly striking it is and since most people have never seen it before, it's a real feature plant.

Shooting stars are a spring ephemeral that appears briefly in late spring, then eases back into the surrounding plant community. The foliage forms a low, ground-hugging rosette that stays visually quiet, letting neighboring plants take over as the season progresses. 

Please Note: This species takes a long time to put on size and flower, our quarts are 3 years old which is reflected in the price. They naturally goes dormant after flowering, so plants purchased in summer may have yellowing foliage or may appear partially dormant. This is a normal part of their life cycle and does not indicate an unhealthy plant. Once established, they will emerge again the following spring.

Growing Conditions
Light: Part shade to full sun (best with spring sun)
Soil: Well-drained loam or clay
Height: 12–18 inches (in bloom)
Spread: Slow-growing, clump-forming
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: May through June

Wildlife Value
Amethyst Shooting Star is pollinated primarily by bumblebees, which use buzz pollination to access its pollen

Blooms Alongside
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum), golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), Hairy beardtongue (penstemon hirsutus) 

For more information, please check out our sizes, pricing and ordering page.