munchkin

Newsletter Shooting Stars 2

According to myth shooting stars streak across the evening sky and fall to earth creating a flower with each impact on earth.

A living replica of the journey is created by individual flowers shaped like rockets or comets from the debris within each point of impact.

The stamens are packed together in the shape of a nose cone. A band of contrasting color comes next, after which the petals reflex back in an exhaust of pink.

Each rocket is at the end of a gently arching stem, arranged in a loose circle of a dozen or so blooms. All rests upon a stout stalk to 20" above a rosette.

The individual leaves are oblong, smooth in texture, reaching six inches or more in a mature plant, depending upon the species. When looking at a plant in full bloom, it is not difficult to see how the myth came to be.

Dodeca' theon is from dodeka, the Greek word for twelve, and theos or god, Pliny' s name for the genus. The primrose was placed under the protection of the twelve principal gods of classic Greek mythology, and Dodecatheon is a member of this family, along with Cyclamen and others. (I can't name all seven dwarfs, so I'm not about to attempt naming the twelve Greek gods.)

There are approximately fourteen species of shooting stars, all but one is located only in North America. The one exception is D. frigidum that also grows in Siberia. In general, only three to four species, perhaps a cultivar or two, will be found in the trade catalogs when seeking plants. Seeds for others species show up in specialty catalogs and seed exchanges on occasion.

It is not hard to see the resemblance of a shooting star (Dodecatheon) to the Primula family, in which it belongs. That resemblance, illustrating family ties, is picked up in some of the common names such as American primrose, American cowslip or Virginia cowslip.

There are many common names given to the various species scattered over North America. I have counted over fourteen names for our local D. meadia. The western shooting star, D. pulchellum, had twelve common names. Some of them are the same as the eastern species, but many reflect local culture.

The stars from the heavens are fairly selective on where they choose to land, for Dodecatheon are generally found in a specific environment. At woodland edge, under open shade, look for rocky seepage areas. They enjoy the extra moisture during the early spring growing season, but as dormancy arrives after flowering and setting seed, drying out does not seem to bother them.

In my garden they are planted in several locations, only one of which has the extra moisture, similar to nature. The other plants, located in rich well-drained soil with plenty of leaf mold, are performing just as well. In this region, spring moisture is seldom lacking and neither is the hot, dry baking required during summer and fall.

Spring is the time to plant shooting stars, although occasionally they will sulk by going immediately into dormancy. Be sure and mark the location so they will not be disturbed. All broken pieces of roots should be planted. Next year the pieces will become small plants.

Species most often & easily located
D. meadia	D. meadia 'Alba'
D. jeffreyi	D. pulchellum
D. dentatum	D. alpinum
D. hendersonii	D. meadia var. frenchii

Seed takes one to two years to germinate and the rate of seeds actually viable is relatively low, so extra seed should be sown. Dodecatheon seeds require stratification, so sow in pots and place in a cold frame where they can remain undisturbed. I use 4" plastic pots filled with a peat-based medium such as Pro Mix BX. The medium is soaked, seeds surface sown and a layer of starter sized granite grit covers both seed and surface of the medium.

Patience is required, for the plants will not mature into bloom size until the second or third year from germination. While you can extend the growing season a bit by keeping the plants moist, they do go dormant around July each year. Plants can be left in the pots until about the third year or planted and allowed to grow on after the second year. If that all sounds like a bit much to obtain a plant, bear in mind it is the only method to obtain the more rare species.

The easiest method of propagation is from root cuttings. Of course, that means you must already have a fully mature plant to take root cuttings from. After the plant has gone dormant you may lift the plant and take a few roots. Each root can be cut into sections about 1 1/4" long. Lay the pieces in individual pots or place in a tray and cover with medium. Place in a cold frame and keep moist until new plants form next spring.