Fritillary and crown imperial are magnificent as stand-alone bulbs

you’re free to’t missfritillariaplanted in a spring garden.

Fritillaria are toxic to humans and pets.

Where to Plant Fritillaria

Fritillaria demands full sun and exceptionally well-drained soil.

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Crown imperial willgive your garden a tropical lookin midspring.

Lofty crown imperial stands 3 to 4 feet tall and pairs well singly with the emerging foliage of perennials.

Plant it in groups of three for a bold focal point.

Crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis

The good news: This scent repels hungry critters.

Plant fritillary singly or in groups of three to five.

How and When to Plant Fritillaria

Plant fritillariabulbs in the fall for spring bloom.

Fritillaria michailovskyi

Place fritillary 5 to 6 inches deep and 5 to 6 inches apart in humus-rich, moist soil.

Although big, these bulbs are fragile.

Light

Plant crown imperial infull sun.

Fritillaria pallidiflora

Soil and Water

Fritillary likes a humus-rich, moist soil.

During the spring growth period, give fritillaria about an inch of water per week through rain or irrigation.

Temperature and Humidity

Fritillaria will tolerate heat, humidity, and cold weather without much fuss.

Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis

For the amounts to use, follow product label instructions.

Add a one-inch layer of compost in the fall before mulching.

When the foliage yellows, cut it down to just above ground level.

Snake’s-head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris

Potting and Repotting Fritillaria

Soil needs for growing fritillaria in the ground and in pots are similar.

When planting in containers, use a high-quality potting mix and a pot with adequate drainage holes.

Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, require more frequent watering and fertilization.

Fritillaria persica

As a protective measure, winterize the pots by sinking the container into the ground.

Scarlet lily beetles are the only likely invaders.

How to Propagate Fritillaria

Propagate fritillariaby division.

Yellow crown imperial Fritillaria imperialis ‘Lutea’

Dig up clusters of fritillaria every three to five years and separate the small bulbs from the mature ones.

Replant the mature bulbs in the same location.

Plant the immature bulbs in a new location but at the same depth and spacing.

White snake’s-head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris alba

The blooms appear in midspring.

The plant grows 5 feet tall.

The plant grows 4-8 inches tall.

This selection loves moist soil and grows 18 inches tall.

Its leaves offer yellow edges and contrast with the tropical-looking red flowers.

It grows 40 inches tall.

Zones 5-9

Snake’s-head fritillary

Fritillaria meleagrisis much more attractive than its moniker suggests.

The plant grows 8 inches tall.

This plant grows 40 inches tall.

It grows 8 inches tall.

Their clusters of bright flowers will attract pollinators and also look beautiful planted next to daffodils andtulips.

Plus, deer usually don’t bother hyacinths and squirrels won’t munch on your bulbs in the ground.

Grape hyacinth doesn’t grow very tall, soplant it at the front of flower bedsand borders.

And once you plant daffodils, they’llreturn year after year and even multiply.

Extend your spring bulb display by planting similar-looking bulbs with different bloom times.

Zones 3-8

Frequently Asked Questions

Fritillaria attract insects, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in spring.

The good news is that deer tend to leave these flowering bulbs alone.

Fritillaria are beautiful flowers in a bouquet and have a good vase life.

However, the skunky smell that pervades this plant may be off-putting to those who are sensitive to it.

Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants.