Delightful Dodecatheons

/ Dave Ingram

Jeffrey’s Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) is out in full force in Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park. The timing of this bloom couldn’t be more perfect, coinciding with the Perseids meteor shower. In the meadows, the downward pointing flowers might just be more spectacular than the display in the night sky in mid-August. Take a walk around the wheelchair accessible boardwalk and decide for yourself!

Sub-alpine Meadow
You get a small taste of the display of Jeffrey’s Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) not far from the trail head at Paradise Meadows. It only gets better as you walk further into the meadows.
Shootingstar Meadow
Showers of Jeffrey’s Shootingstars (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) fill the wet areas in the meadows, often following the path of runnels of water.
Jeffrey's Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi)
Looking a little closer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number and rich lavender colour of the flowers.
Jeffrey's Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi)
The delicate, downward pointing flowers of Jeffrey’s Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi).
Wet Meadow
Favouring wet places, Jeffrey’s Shootingstar (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) is widespread in the sub-alpine meadows of Paradise Meadows, Strathcona Provincial Park.

It’s definitely been a late bloom in the meadows this year. Looking back through my images, I realized that I had photographed Jeffrey’s Shootingstar in the meadow before – in late June! While the record snow pack this year has made accessing the back country more challenging, it has also compressed the bloom so that early spring, early summer and late summer plants are blooming simultaneously. The result is a flower display that is simply awe inspiring – enjoy it while you can!

Access Paradise Meadows via the trail head near the Raven Lodge, Mount Washington Alpine Resort.