Primula dodecatheon

Primula dodecatheon

Only recently reclassified as a species of primula, these lovely plants are also known as 'Shooting stars'. They are native to North America. Each flower has five swept-back (reflexed) petals and a cluster of yellow stamens converging to a point, thus giving the flower the appearance of a shooting star falling to earth. Flower colours are quite variable, ranging from white to pink to light purple. 

Culture: Best grown in partial to full shade in well-drained soil. The plants go dormant in the summer and contrary to most primula like the soil to be fairly dry at this point. The leaves will disappear completely and reappear in early spring,