Fritillaria

The most dramatic of spring-flowering bulbs, crown imperial is as easy to grow as any of its _Fritillaria_ cousins. It's easy to care for, as the bulbs and flowers possess a scent that deters even the hungriest critters.

Especially well-suited to woodland plantings and open rock gardens, fritillaries deserve to be better known among bulb gardeners. Their bell-shape blooms are highly unusual and showy in form and color.

Light:

Sun,Part Sun

Zones:

4-10

Plant Type:

Bulb

Plant Height:

8 inches to 5 feet tall

Plant Width:

To 1 foot wide

Landscape Uses:

Containers,Beds & Borders,Groundcover

Special Features:

Flowers,Attractive Foliage,Attracts Hummingbirds,Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

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Crown imperial

Fritillaria imperialis bears a bunch of large orange flower bells that hangs from the crown of tufted foliage on this bold plant. The blooms appear in mid-spring. The plant grows 5 feet tall. Zones 5-9
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Variegated crown imperial

Fritillaria imperialis 'Aureomarginata' makes a bold statement in the spring garden. Its leaves offer yellow edges and contrast with the tropical-looking red flowers. It grows 40 inches tall. Zones 5-9
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Yellow crown imperial

Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea' offers lemon-yellow bells that unfurl and dangle from a crown of tufted foliage. This plant grows 40 inches tall. Zones 5-9
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Snake's-head fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris is much more attractive than its moniker suggests. The flowers, checked bells in maroon or purple and white, dangle from succulent blue-gray stems in late spring. The plant grows 8 inches tall. Zones 4-9
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White snake's-head fritillary

Fritillaria meleagris alba bears white bells that dangle from succulent blue-gray stems in late spring. It grows 8 inches tall. Zones 4-9
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_Fritillaria michailovskyi_

Fritillaria michailovskyi looks like an Easter candy; the chocolate-purple flower bells are tipped in golden yellow. The plant grows 4-8 inches tall. Zones 4-9
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_Fritillaria pallidiflora_

Fritillaria pallidiflora bears large, pale yellow flower bells that unfurl from shiny blue-green leaves. This selection loves moist soil and grows 18 inches tall. Zones 4-9
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_Fritillaria persica_

Fritillaria persica is an incredible selection with chocolate-plum-color bells that dangle from 4-foot spikes over blue-green leaves. Zones 4-9
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Garden Plans

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Four Gorgeous Bulb and Perennial Gardens

Propagation

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Division