Bulbs
Crown Imperial fritillaria flowers . pic by : Flower_Garden / Shutterstock
Many nurseryman flow chief over heel forFritillaria , and it ’s leisurely to see their adoration . In a springiness garden full of daffodil , tulips , and other conventional spring bloomers , these exotic - looking plants stand apart from the quietus . From the becharm pattern bloom of the checker lily ( F. meleagris ) to the stately crown imperial beard ’s ( F. imperialis ) tufted tiara of bell - shaped bloom , fritillaries bring their own distinct personality to spring bed of flowers and containers .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Fritillaria variety
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BASICS
Botanical name:
Fritillariaspp .
Zones:
4 - 9 , but may change depending on the species
Exposure:
Full sun to fond shadowiness
Bloom time:
April , May
Height:
8 to 48 inches tall
Flower color:
Shades of white , yellow , orangish , red , or purple , some with bicolored patterns
Foliage:
Grassy or strap - same , usually medium green or gray - green
Types:
There are more than 100 species ofFritillaria , most of them native to Europe , Asia , and the Middle East . The tallest and most attention - getting variety let in the crown imperial ( F. imperialis ) and the Iranian lily ( F. persica ) , both of which abide flowers on an unsloped stalk grow to a height of 3 substructure or more . Lower - acquire selection ( under a pes tall ) admit Michael ’s blossom ( F. michailovskyi ) and checkered lily ( F. meleagris ) , which are characterize by arching stems of delicacy Alexander Melville Bell - shaped flowers .
Uses:
Woodland gardens , mixed borders , naturalizing , rock gardens , containers
HOW TO PLANT FRITILLARIA BULBS
Fritillaria bulb . photograph by : Olhandra / Shutterstock
When to plant:
Late summer or other nightfall . Fritillary bulbs are more perishable than most fall - set bulbs , so they should be put in the soil shortly after they are purchased .
Where to plant:
Fritillaries can be take in their cultivation necessity , peculiarly when it add up to moisture and soil conditions . Some mintage spring up comfortably in well - drained , flaxen soil and bright sunlight while others require moisture - retentive soil and dappled shade . Check the produce requirements of each species cautiously to identify those that will thrive in your garden .
Note : All parts of the jacket imperial have a skunky odor that can be unpleasant at nigh range , so this plant is best positioned at the back of the border and away from pathways . Or place it among tulip , daffodils , and other spring electric light to resist offrabbits , deer , squirrels , and other pests .
Soil conditions:
Soil necessity vary , but most fritillaries prefer rich , well - draining ground high in constituent affair . Some specie are peculiarly vulnerable to waste because of fuddled soil and will benefit from the increase of some sand to improve drainage .
Planting depth and spacing:
Plant the magnanimous bulbs of crown imperial and Persian lily about 6 to 7 inches deep and 8 to 10 inches aside . The bulbs of diminished metal money can go in shallow holes 3 inches cryptic at a spatial arrangement of 3 to 4 inches . mention that crown royal bulb have natural depressions on top where water can collect . come in the bulbs sideways in their planting holes will make them less vulnerable to decompose .
Propagation:
Divide the bulbs after the foliage has died back to the ground in midsummer by loosening the soil and cautiously separating the smaller light bulb from the parent . Store the shared out bulbs in a coolheaded , dark domain until you are quick to implant them in the fall .
FRITILLARIA CARE
Watering:
Water well in the nightfall after planting and in spring when plants are actively growing ( about an inch of water per week ) . Most fritillaries like teetotal conditions when they are dormant .
Fertilizing:
Addbulb fertilizerto the soil when planting , and apply a low - nitrogen fertiliser when the leaves begin to egress in early spring .
Cutting back:
After blooming has finished for the season , you could get rid of the pass flowers , but do n’t cut your works back to the footing until the leafage turns completely jaundiced . While the foliage are still immature they will bear on to gather Energy Department from sunshine to be stored in the bulb for next year ’s blossom .
Pests and problems:
Fritillaries are comparatively trouble - free , but because they are members of the lily sept ( Liliaceae ) , they ’re vulnerable to scathe by the scarlet lily mallet , which will feast on the foliation and flower . The best method acting of eradication include removing the beetles by hand as soon as you tell apart them or by applying a botanical insect powder , such as neem oil . The foliation may also be susceptible to rust and leaf touch .
FRITILLARIA VARIETIES
exposure by : imageBroker / Shutterstock
Crown ImperialFritillaria imperialis
Zones:4 - 8Height:3 to 4 foot tallBloom time : April to MayGrowing requirement : Well - drained , sandy soil . Full sun . Highly susceptible to rot in smashed grunge .
cultivar to try:‘Rubra Maxima ’ ( orange - crimson flowers , project ) , ' Lutea Maxima ' ( lemon - xanthous flowers ) , ' Aureomarginata ' ( variegated leaves ) , ‘ Aurora ’ ( glow - orange flowers )
The biggest and bluff , wearing a crown of undimmed flowers overstep by spiky foliage , similar to the leaves of a pineapple .
Photo by : aniana / Shutterstock
Michael ’s FlowerF. michailovskyi
Zones:5 - 8Height:4 to 8 inches tallBloom time : April to MayGrowing essential : Intolerant of wet soil ; requires dry conditions when dormant .
An strange and striking dwarf fritillary , flaunting charming bell - form maroon flowers with golden - yellow tips and dark red interiors . This compact plant is a skillful alternative for rock gardens and naturalizing .
Photo by : Olha Solodenko / Shutterstock
Checkered LilyF. meleagris
Zones:3 - 8Height:10 to 12 inches tallBloom time : Mid - springGrowing requirements : Best in moist soil and scant shade ; do not allow to dry out completely in summer .
Checkered lily ( also called dago - biddy heyday and snake’s - chief fritillary ) is nature ’s checker board . The nodding blooms dangle from arching stems above slim gray - unripe leave of absence . It will naturalise readily in moist woodland ormeadow gardensto organize large sweeps of colour .
Photo by : Danita Delimont / Shutterstock
Persian LilyF. persica
Zones:5 - 8Height:1 to 3 substructure tallBloom sentence : Mid to tardy springGrowing requirements : Prefers sandlike , rough soils and red-hot , teetotal sites with full sun . Prone to rot if kept pissed , particularly over winter .
cultivar to try:‘Ivory Bells ’ ( pictured ) , which has flowers that emerge with a greenish cast and mature to creamy white .
Each plant bears scores of weeping bloom , localize off by striking gray - green foliage . The blossom are incredibly long - lasting and will retain their ravisher for weeks .
Photo by : Ritvars / Shutterstock
Siberian FritillariaF. pallidiflora
Zones:4 - 9Height:18 to 24 in tallBloom prison term : Mid to late springGrowing requirements : Prefers ample , well - debilitate soil and light specter .
The creamy sensationalistic blooms of this Asian species are accented with light-green veining and cherry-red - dark-brown freckle . silvern green leaves make a lovely backdrop for the large , pendant blossom .
