Gardening information.

1. Padre’s shooting star – Primula (Dodecatheon) clevelandii
(PRIM-yoo-luh KLEEV-land-ee-eye)
Family: Primulaceae (Primrose Family)
Native to: Santa Monica Mtns. south to northern Baja CA; open, summer-dry grassy places in
chaparral, valley grassland, valley woodland and coastal sage scrub communities below about 2000'.
Growth characteristics: herbaceous perennial mature height: 1-2 ft. mature width: 1-3 ft.
Perennial wildflower that forms spreading colonies. Basal rosettes of rounded, hairy and glandular
leaves in winter/spring. Clove-scented foliage emerges with winter rains, dies back to ground at
flowering. Very much an early season perennial.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms late winter/early spring (Jan. to Apr. depending on rains). Leafless flower
stalk has up to 16 nodding, distinctive flowers that resemble shooting stars. Flowers have five fused
petals that are usually purple or magenta and swept back away from the reproductive parts. Very
showy and unusual – decorative. Buzz-pollinated by bumblebees. Tan seeds in dry capsule.
Uses in the garden: Best as an accent plant or massed in grassland plantings with native grasses
and annual wildflowers. Showy choice for containers or rock gardens. Food for early-flying
bumblebees. Woodsy touch, particularly along walkways, under trees or in seating areas.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native primroses, cyclamens.
Attracts: Excellent bumblebee habitat plant.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Best with part-shade (afternoon shade or dappled shade)
Soil Most soils if summer-dry; pH 6.8-7.2 best (no alkali soils)
Water Needs good winter rain (supplement if needed); summer-dry (Water Zone 1 to 1-2)
Fertilizer Fine with light fertilizer, in ground or soil
Other Light leaf mulch best; no heavy mulch
Management: Best to let plants naturalize in garden. Keep dry in summer or roots will rot. Snails
and slugs attracted to foliage, particularly in wet winters. Roots are brittle when dry.
Propagation: from seed: fresh seed in fall; 3 years to flower by divisions: carefully in winter
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 10, 13, 34, 45, 46 4/30/18
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