When does Darkthroat Shootingstar bloom?

It flowers from April through June, sending up leafless stalks topped with downward facing pink blossoms above a basal rosette of leaves.

What pollinates Darkthroat Shootingstar?

Bees are the main pollinators, using buzz pollination to release pollen from the flower's forward pointing anthers. Hummingbirds visit the blooms as well.

What growing conditions does Darkthroat Shootingstar prefer?

It does best in part sun to full sun with consistently moist soil, often found in wet meadows, streambanks, and seasonally damp slopes.

Does Darkthroat Shootingstar stay green year round?

No, it is a herbaceous perennial that dies back after seed set and goes dormant for the rest of the year, often disappearing entirely by mid to late summer.

Is Darkthroat Shootingstar toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Darkthroat Shootingstar as toxic to livestock.

Is Darkthroat Shootingstar HOA-friendly?

Darkthroat Shootingstar takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Darkthroat Shootingstar

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Dodecatheon pulchellum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Darkthroat Shootingstar sends up nodding pink and magenta flowers with yellow throats from April through June, growing in moist meadows, seeps, and streambanks across western prairies and mountain foothills.

Toxicity unknown

Darkthroat Shootingstar (Dodecatheon pulchellum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Darkthroat Shootingstar as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Madrean Archipelago

Darkthroat shootingstar is a charming native wildflower that produces distinctive pink to purple flowers with swept-back petals from April through June. This compact perennial grows in small clumps and goes dormant in summer, disappearing completely until the following spring.

Growing Darkthroat Shootingstar

Grow Darkthroat Shootingstar in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 2 to 6 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Darkthroat Shootingstar takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Completely disappears in summer leaving bare spots
Very small size makes it look sparse in formal settings
Wildflower appearance may seem too informal for front yards

Wildlife value

The unique flowers attract native bees and occasionally hummingbirds during the spring blooming period. It supports pollinator populations during early season when few other flowers are available.

Common questions

When does Darkthroat Shootingstar bloom?: It flowers from April through June, sending up leafless stalks topped with downward facing pink blossoms above a basal rosette of leaves.
What pollinates Darkthroat Shootingstar?: Bees are the main pollinators, using buzz pollination to release pollen from the flower's forward pointing anthers. Hummingbirds visit the blooms as well.
What growing conditions does Darkthroat Shootingstar prefer?: It does best in part sun to full sun with consistently moist soil, often found in wet meadows, streambanks, and seasonally damp slopes.
Does Darkthroat Shootingstar stay green year round?: No, it is a herbaceous perennial that dies back after seed set and goes dormant for the rest of the year, often disappearing entirely by mid to late summer.
Is Darkthroat Shootingstar toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Darkthroat Shootingstar as toxic to livestock.
Is Darkthroat Shootingstar HOA-friendly?: Darkthroat Shootingstar takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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