Eastern shooting star
Primula meadia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
8"–16" H × 6"–10" W
Bloom
Apr, May
Native to
AL, AR, DC, FL and 25 more states
Pollinators
bumble bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA neat basal rosette of smooth leaves sends up a leafless stalk carrying a cluster of nodding, reflexed pink to lavender flowers with swept-back petals, resembling tiny shooting stars. The plant goes fully and tidily dormant by midsummer.
Wildlife value
The flowers require buzz pollination and are worked almost exclusively by bumble bees, which vibrate pollen loose from the anthers.
Common questions
- How much sun does Eastern shooting star need?
- Eastern shooting star grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Eastern shooting star bloom?
- Eastern shooting star blooms in April and May.
- Where is Eastern shooting star native?
- Eastern shooting star (Primula meadia) is native to AL, AR, DC, FL and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Eastern shooting star attract?
- Eastern shooting star draws bumble bees.
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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