Fabulous fritillaries
Seven spring beauties to covet now… and plan for in the future
These beautiful spring-flowering, bulbous perennials from the lily family are packing a punch in gardens now. Here are some stunners – common and rare – to get excited about and introduce into your planting scheme. Snake’s head fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
This well-known species, with charming chequerboard blooms atop 30cm (12in) tall stems, is one that has to be observed up close to be fully appreciated. Lift a flower up and take a peek at its shy, nodding form, which is just as intricate and beautiful as any showy dahlia – but with a pleasing modesty. HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn 13cm (5in) deep. They like sun or part shade, but soil is key – anywhere moist will suit them better. The more sun it gets, the more moist the soil should be. Plant on a woodland edge, in a watery meadow or naturalised in a lawn.
Persian fritillary Fritillaria persica
Something a little different in later spring, with elegant, 1m (3ft 3in) or taller stems of classic fritillary foliage and deep purple flowers that look eye-catchingly black from afar. Looks superb as a brooding planting partner and lofty focal point among the classic blue and yellow flowers of spring.
HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn about 20cm (8in) deep in very well-drained soil, improved with sand or grit if need be. Give this bulb full sun for a good baking. These lovely large bulbs can be planted on their sides, which may prevent rotting from water collecting in the well at the top.
Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis
The most imposing species, at 1m (3ft 3in) or so tall. Though it has strikingly exotic looks, it’s robust and hardy. Perfect for spring drama in our British gardens, but with none of the diva behaviour! Pineapple tufts of foliage and orange or yellow bell blooms set off the gorgeous burgundy stems. HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn at 20cm (8in) deep in well-drained soil. This one’s a sun-lover, so ensure it gets as many rays as possible. It likes a rich soil, so if you need to improve yours add well-roted manure and some compost or leaf mould. Leave bulbs be for perennial flowering.
Michailovski fritillary Fritillaria michailovskyi
Dainty and diminutive, but bright and beautiful blooms in burgundy and sun-yellow with the classic nodding fritillary shape. At 20cm (8in) tall, it’s a petite species that packs a punch in colour, and are easy to grow clustered at the front of a border, with an RHS AGM for good performance. HOW TO GROW Plant in groups in autumn at 20cm (8in) deep. As it’s a smallish plant, which needs very well-drained soil, why not try it in a rockery as part of an unusual collection? It needs sun or part shade and hates winter wet. Pop some in a pot on the patio too, for late spring colour.
Pointed-petal fritillary Fritillaria acmopetala If a plant can be stylish, then this is it! Slim, olive-green and wine-red stripey blooms on thin, 30cm (12in) tall stems, which look as though they’ve been curled upwards with a curling iron – like a ‘60s hairdo! Dangling in the spring breeze, you won’t be able to resist looking at them.
HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn 20cm (8in) deep in full sun or dappled shade in well-drained soil. Plant near a tree that gets lots of sun – this will help keep this fritillary’s soil dry, as the tree soaks up most of the surrounding moisture. Try some in a dry rock garden or sunny border. Radde’s fritillary Fritillaria raddeana Really quite a rare species, yet it’s super easy to grow. It’s often called a dwarf crown imperial as it looks similar, though shorter and with much more elegant primroseyellow flowers to enjoy. It’s a reliable plant that grows wild in northern Iran and parts of Asia.
HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn 20cm (8in) deep, in a well-drained soil in sun or dappled shade. In northern cooler areas this fritillary will perform best in full sun, but in southern areas, where it gets hot in the summer, it’ll appreciate some light afternoon shade. Siberian fritillary Fritillaria pallidiflora An unusual, shorter fritillary of 50cm (20in) tall at most, with large, nodding flowers in the loveliest of greenishyellow. Its leaves are broad and tulip-like, giving it a dumpier appearance than its fellow fritillaries. At home in Siberia and China, it grows in damp meadows and moist alpine slopes.
HOW TO GROW Plant in autumn at 10cm (4in) deep in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil that remains moist at all times. It enjoys a semi-shaded situation and will flower and thrive well if the summer has been mainly cool and moist.
All bulbs are available to order in summer from Rose Cottage Plants: www.rosecottageplants.co.uk; tel: 01992 573775.