About
Dodecatheon jeffreyi, the giant American cowslip, is a robust, summer-dormant perennial reaching 60 cm tall with a basal rosette of oval, slightly sticky, fresh-green leaves. In early to midsummer, pendent, cyclamen-like flowers in shades of pink, purple and red with characteristic swept-back petals are held on short stalks from the top of stout stems. One of the tallest and most impressive shooting stars.
About the genus
Dodecatheon, the shooting stars or American cowslips, are summer-dormant, rosette-forming herbaceous perennials with basal rosettes of simple leaves and erect stems bearing umbels of cyclamen-like flowers with strongly reflexed petals in spring. Charming woodland and rock-garden plants for moist, partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial, Alpine Rockery
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained, humus rich soil in sun or part shade. Needs plenty of moisture while in growth; ideal for planting in a woodland or near a pond or stream
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in pots in an open frame as soon as ripe, or by division in spring. Seed needs exposure to cold before it will germinate
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and snails on young growth
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free