Anyone for chequers?
Snake’s head fritillaries are perfect for containers and the front of borders, writes
Pretty delicate, pretty small but still very pretty – that’s Fritillaria meleagris, otherwise known as snake’s head fritillary or chequered daffodil. The wonderful purple and white colouring makes them stand out in spring – even if they are pretty close to the ground.
Their distinctive chequerboard markings and pendant-shaped flowers make these little plants ideal for semishaded woodland or the front of borders where they can bloom before the bigger plants force their way to the front.
Being native to damp spots, like hay meadows, they grow best in moist soil, so adding a bit of leaf mould or well-rotted compost will help this distinctive plant grow well.
Snake’s head fritillaries normally grow to only perhaps 30cm in height and they don’t tend to spread very far. Plant them from September to November and they should start to appear in late March and continue to bloom throughout April and into May.
Many gardeners prefer to enjoy these delicate plants in containers where there are no bigger, more aggressive plants to smother their charms.
In pots, use a good-quality, multipurpose compost, preferably adding sand to the planting hole. Plant the bulbs perhaps three inches deep. It is best to plant them on their side – this prevents water collecting at the top of the bulbs, causing them to rot.
Anyone who thinks that Fritillaria meleagris is too meek and mild for their garden can always look at Fritillaria imperialis (the crown imperial) one of the