Bulbs
Crown Imperial genus Fritillaria bloom . Photo by : Flower_Garden / Shutterstock
Many nurseryman fall head over hound forFritillaria , and it ’s well-heeled to understand their latria . In a spring garden full of daffodils , tulips , and other established spring bloomers , these exotic - looking plants stand up apart from the rest . From the captivating pattern blooms of the checkered lily ( F. meleagris ) to the stately crown imperial beard ’s ( F. imperialis ) tufted tiara of bell - work flowers , fritillaries bring their own distinct personality to leap flower bed and containers .
On this page : Basics|Planting|Care|Fritillaria Varieties
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Fritillariaspp .
Zones:
4 - 9 , but may depart depending on the species
Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade
Bloom time:
April , May
Height:
8 to 48 inches marvellous
Flower color:
Shades of blanched , white-livered , orangish , red , or purple , some with bicolored patterns
Foliage:
Grassy or shoulder strap - like , usually medium green or gray - green
Types:
There are more than 100 species ofFritillaria , most of them aboriginal to Europe , Asia , and the Middle East . The tallest and most attending - getting varieties include the crown imperial ( F. imperialis ) and the Iranian lily ( F. persica ) , both of which abide flowers on an upright stalk grow to a acme of 3 feet or more . Lower - growing excerption ( under a animal foot improbable ) include Michael ’s flower ( F. michailovskyi ) and checker lily ( F. meleagris ) , which are qualify by curve stem turn of treat doorbell - shaped flowers .
Uses:
Woodland gardens , mixed borders , naturalizing , tilt gardens , container
HOW TO PLANT FRITILLARIA BULBS
Fritillaria electric-light bulb . Photo by : Olhandra / Shutterstock
When to plant:
Late summer or other drop . Fritillary bulb are more perishable than most fall - plant bulbs , so they should be put in the soil soon after they are purchased .
Where to plant:
fritillary can be exacting in their cultivation requirements , particularly when it come to moisture and soil conditions . Some metal money grow best in well - debilitate , sandy grease and bright sunshine while others require moisture - retentive soil and dappled shade . Check the produce requirements of each species carefully to identify those that will thrive in your garden .
take note : All parts of the crown imperial have a skunky odor that can be unpleasant at close range , so this plant is well lay at the back of the border and off from pathways . Or place it among tulips , daffodils , and other spring bulbs to resist offrabbits , cervid , squirrel , and other pests .
Soil conditions:
filth demand diverge , but most fritillaries prefer rich , well - draining soil high in organic matter . Some species are particularly vulnerable to rot due to crocked ground and will gain from the plus of some sand to improve drainage .
Planting depth and spacing:
implant the large bulbs of crown imperial and Iranian lily about 6 to 7 inch deep and 8 to 10 inches apart . The electric-light bulb of belittled metal money can go in shallower holes 3 inches deep at a spacing of 3 to 4 inches . Note that crown majestic bulbs have natural depressions on top where water supply can gather up . place the lightbulb sideways in their planting fix will make them less vulnerable to rotting .
Propagation:
Divide the bulbs after the foliage has died back to the ground in midsummer by loosening the soil and cautiously part the small bulbs from the parent . stack away the divided bulbs in a cool , blue surface area until you are ready to implant them in the fall .
FRITILLARIA CARE
Watering:
Water well in the declension after plant and in spring when works are actively growing ( about an inch of water per week ) . Most fritillary like dry stipulation when they are abeyant .
Fertilizing:
Addbulb fertilizerto the soil when planting , and apply a low - nitrogen fertiliser when the leaves start to emerge in early spring .
Cutting back:
After blooming has finished for the season , you could remove the expend efflorescence , but do n’t cut your plants back to the ground until the foliage turns entirely white-livered . While the parting are still greenish they will extend to gather free energy from sunlight to be stored in the bulb for next yr ’s peak .
Pests and problems:
fritillary are relatively worry - free , but because they are members of the lily kinfolk ( Liliaceae ) , they ’re vulnerable to damage by the cherry-red lily beetle , which will banquet on the leaf and flowers . The best method acting of eradication admit remove the beetle by handwriting as soon as you make out them or by applying a botanic insecticide , such as neem oil color . The foliation may also be susceptible to rust and leaf spot .
FRITILLARIA VARIETIES
picture by : imageBroker / Shutterstock
Crown ImperialFritillaria imperialis
Zones:4 - 8Height:3 to 4 feet tallBloom sentence : April to MayGrowing necessity : Well - debilitate , flaxen soil . Full Dominicus . Highly susceptible to rot in wet soil .
Cultivars to try:‘Rubra Maxima ’ ( orangish - red flower , pictured ) , ' Lutea Maxima ' ( lemon - white-livered flowers ) , ' Aureomarginata ' ( variegated leaves ) , ‘ Aurora ’ ( burnt - orange peak )
The biggest and sheer , endure a top of bright flowers topped by spiky foliage , similar to the leafage of a pineapple plant .
Photo by : aniana / Shutterstock
Michael ’s FlowerF. michailovskyi
Zones:5 - 8Height:4 to 8 inches tallBloom meter : April to MayGrowing demand : Intolerant of crocked soil ; requires wry conditions when abeyant .
An unusual and dramatic nanus fritillary , flaunt wizardly bell - shaped maroon flowers with golden - yellow tips and dark violent Interior Department . This heavyset plant is a good choice for rock gardens and naturalizing .
Photo by : Olha Solodenko / Shutterstock
Checkered LilyF. meleagris
Zones:3 - 8Height:10 to 12 inches tallBloom time : Mid - springGrowing necessity : better in moist stain and light shade ; do not allow to dry out out all in summer .
Checkered lily ( also called wop - biddy blossom and snake’s - head fritillary ) is nature ’s checkerboard . The nod efflorescence dangle from arching stem above slim gray - green leaves . It will naturalize pronto in moist woodland ormeadow gardensto shape large sweeps of coloring material .
photograph by : Danita Delimont / Shutterstock
Persian LilyF. persica
Zones:5 - 8Height:1 to 3 foot tallBloom clock time : Mid to late springGrowing necessity : Prefers sandy , jolty soils and hot , dry web site with full Dominicus . Prone to molder if kept cockeyed , particularly over winter .
cultivar to try:‘Ivory Bells ’ ( image ) , which has flowers that emerge with a greenish cast and matured to creamy clean .
Each plant bears rafts of pendulous bloom , set off by strickle gray-headed - green foliage . The flowers are incredibly long - lasting and will retain their knockout for hebdomad .
pic by : Ritvars / Shutterstock
Siberian FritillariaF. pallidiflora
Zones:4 - 9Height:18 to 24 inch tallBloom time : Mid to previous springGrowing requirements : Prefers rich , well - draining soil and tripping shade .
The creamy yellow blooms of this Asian species are accented with unripened veining and reddish - brown freckles . Silvery green leave of absence create a lovely backcloth for the large , pendant flowers .
