Dodecatheon clevelandii subsp. patulum

RHS Plant Profile
Padre’s shooting star

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Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming, summer-dormant perennial with basal rosettes of leaves and flowering stems to 30cm high bearing clusters of 5-6 nodding flowers in spring; flowers are characterised by white to purple wavy and reflexed petals tinged at the base with yellow and dark purple stamens

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Primulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Dodecatheon are summer-dormant herbaceous perennials with basal rosettes of simple leaves and erect or arching stems bearing umbels of cyclamen-like flowers with strongly reflexed petals
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in humus-rich soils with abundant moisture in the growing season; keep dry throughout the summer when plants are dormant

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe in containers in a coldframe or by division in spring. Seeds need cold exposure for germination

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails on young growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free