Dodecatheon meadia f. album, often called the white-flowered American cowslip or white shooting star, is a graceful woodland perennial grown for its distinctive nodding white flowers.

Elegant clusters of blooms appear on upright stems in spring, rising above neat rosettes of green foliage.

• Height: 30–45cm
• Spread: 30–40cm
• Flower colour: white
• Flowering time: spring to early summer
• Position: partial shade or light shade
• Soil: moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil

About Dodecatheon meadia f. album

Dodecatheon meadia f. album forms tidy rosettes of lance-shaped green leaves close to the ground.

In spring, slender stems rise above the foliage carrying clusters of nodding flowers around 2cm long.

The petals sweep backwards while the prominent stamens point forward. This distinctive structure gives the flowers their well-known shooting-star appearance.

This white-flowered form offers a softer, more subtle look than the pink forms while keeping the same elegant flower shape.

Common name:

• White-flowered American cowslip
• White shooting star

Botanical synonyms include:

• Dodecatheon meadia 'Albiflorum'
• Primula meadia var. album

Benefits for UK Wildlife

Dodecatheon meadia f. album helps support early-season wildlife.

• Flowers attract early pollinating insects
• Provides nectar in spring
• Works well in wildlife-friendly woodland gardens

Plant with other spring woodland plants to provide food for pollinators early in the year.

Where to Grow White Shooting Star

• Woodland gardens
• Shaded borders
• Under trees and shrubs
• Moist naturalistic planting areas
• Wildflower-style gardens

Plant in groups so the unusual flowers create a stronger display.

Planting Tips

• Plant rhizomes in spring or autumn.
• Choose a partially shaded location.
• Improve soil with compost or leaf mould.
• Plant rhizomes just below the soil surface.
• Keep soil evenly moist while plants establish.

The foliage may die back after flowering as the plant enters a short summer dormancy.

Why Grow Dodecatheon meadia f. album

• Elegant white shooting-star shaped flowers
• Excellent plant for woodland gardens
• Spring colour for shaded borders
• Supports early pollinating insects
• Graceful naturalistic appearance

If you want a refined woodland perennial, Dodecatheon meadia f. album brings delicate white flowers and spring interest to shaded garden spaces.