Bulbs

Fritillaria
fritillary

- Height 8-36 in (20-90 cm)
- Planting distance 4-8 in (10-20 cm) unless otherwise stated
- Flowers spring to early summer
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Sun or partial shade
- Bulbs available early fall and midfall
- Hardy zones 3-9

Fritillaries are a large group of mainly spring-flowering bulbous plants, whose exquisite flowers add charm to any garden. Bell-shaped and nodding, the blooms are borne either in clusters atop robust stems or singly at intervals along thin but wiry stalks. Fritillaries range from the majestic crown imperial to the beguiling little snake's -head fritillary and more than repay the extra care they require. Sometimes difficult to establish and maintain, the species and cultivars described here are among the easiest to grow.

Popular species and cultivars
Fritillaria imperialis (crown imperial) carries clusters of large red, orange, or yellow flowers. These appear in midspring on 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) high stems. Each cluster of flowers has a crowning tuft of leaves to complete the beauty of a plant that has only one fault - an unpleasant foxlike smell when the new growth appears in spring. Crown imperial looks best grown in groups among other herbaceous plants in a border, or in clumps on its own at focal points in the garden. Popular cultivars include 'Aurea-marginata' (orange-red flowers; green leaves with distinct yellow edges), 'Aurora' (orange-yellow), 'Lutea' (golden yellow), and 'Rubra' (deep red). Plant the bulbs 10-12 in (20-25 cm) apart. Fritillaria meleagris (snake's head fritillary) has pairs of flowers resembling large drooping white bells that are heavily over-laid with purple checkering. They come out in late spring on 10-12 in (20-25 cm) high stems, accompanied by a few narrow gray-green leaves, which contribute to the plants' particularly delicate appearance. Snake's-head fritillary inhabits moist meadows in the wild, so in the garden it looks at home growing in rough grass. Other possible planting sites would be an undisturbed border, a peat garden, or around a garden pond. A white form ('Alba') with green or pink checkering is also available and excellent for naturalizing. The two frequently cross-breed. Fritillaria michailovskyi grows about 8 in (20 cm) tall and is ideal for a cool, shady spot in the rock garden. In early spring to midspring, it has solitary bell-shaped maroon-purple flowers with striking golden yellow rims. Fritillaria pallidiflora flowers in mid- to late spring, bearing a cluster of creamy to greenish-yellow flowers atop 14 in (35 cm) high stems. The bell-shaped blossoms are marked with red or brown spots on the inside. Fritillaria persica has loose spikes of small reddish or purple bells that appear in late spring. It has gray leaves and a twisted stem that reaches up to 2 ft (60 cm) high. Fritillaria pontica thrives in most gardens. It is 1 ft (30 cm) tall and in late spring and early summer this plant produces single lemon-green flowers that are suffused with brownish purple.

Bulbs