PLANT OF THE MONTH

Dodecatheon “Shooting Stars”

May 2022 — Shooting Star

Latin Name:  Dodecatheon sp.

Family:  Primulaceae

Type:  Herbaceous Flowering Perennial

Origin: Pacific Northwest United States

Location at Bloedel Reserve: Pollinator Meadow, Rhododendron Glen

Garden Uses: Pollinator, meadow, and natural gardens

Fun Fact:  This interesting flower shape requires a special technique of pollination called “buzz pollination.” With the flower facing down, a bumblebee can grab ahold of the flower while also hanging upside down, and vibrate their wing muscles to shake loose the pollen. Honeybees do not have this special ability, which leaves the task up to our native bumblebees and a few others. We have two different species, one at the top of the Rhododendron Glen and some out in the Pollinator Meadow.