Shooting star
Dodecatheon meadia
Last reviewed: July 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
8"–18" H × 8"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
PA, OH, IN, IL and 20 more states
Pollinators
bees
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Woodland perennial with a basal rosette of smooth leaves and a slender leafless stalk bearing nodding, swept-back pink flowers with prominent yellow centers. Goes fully dormant by midsummer.
In an HOA neighborhood
Shooting star is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, mid zone, backyard only.
- foliage dies back completely by summer, leaving a bare gap in the bed
Wildlife value
Distinctive nodding flowers are buzz-pollinated by native bees in early spring.
Common questions
- How much sun does Shooting star need?
- Shooting star grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Shooting star bloom?
- Shooting star blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Shooting star native?
- Shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia) is native to PA, OH, IN, IL and 20 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Shooting star attract?
- Shooting star draws bees.
- Is Shooting star HOA-friendly?
- Shooting star is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Shooting star fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.