Fritillaria

This group consists of about 100 deciduous, perennialbulbs native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are suitable for growing in borders, meadows, woodland gardens, and containers. Some species grow up to 4 feet tall, while others average 10 inches in height. In the spring, all Fritillaries produce beautiful, cup- or bell-shaped, nodding flowers, with a shiny yellow receptacle of nectar near the inner base of the petals. The delicate flowers are curiously blotched or checkered with various colors such as shades of brown, green, and white. F. imperialis (Crown Imperial) is the largest and most popular Fritillary. The bulbs produce a whorl of shiny leaves from which a 2- to 4-foot stem arises. A cluster of flowers, which may be red, orange, or yellow, top the stems. Each flower is crowned with a compact tuft of small leaves. The bulbs and flowers of the Crown Imperial have a skunk-like odor, which some people may find offensive. F. meleagris (Checkered Lily; Meadow Fritillary; Snake's Head; Guinea-Hen Flower) is a lovely species producing 1 to 3 interesting, checkered and veined flowers per each slender stem. The blossoms range from dark brown to rosy lilac, wine, or white. This unique species is suitable for growing in moist, woodland gardens, meadows, and borders. F. persica (Persian Fritillary) produces as many as 30 dark violet to reddish-purple flowers per each 2- to 3-foot stem. F. atropurpurea (Leopard Lily) grows up to 16 inches high with a few slender leaves, up to 3 inches in length. One to four flowers are produced per stem. They may be green edged in yellow with purple spots or purplish-brown spotted with white or yellow.

Pot Cultivation

Fritillaries are hardy from zones 3 to 7. They should be grown in well-drained, organic soil in a sunny or lightly shaded location, depending on the species. The bulbs should be planted in the fall, as soon as they are purchased. Set them 5 inches deep and 2 inches apart on their sides so that water won't collect inside them and cause them to rot. Make sure the bulbs don't dry out before planting them and be sure not to damage their plump scales. Water regularly, reducing once the plants die back after blooming. If they are to be grown in containers, plant one bulb of a large variety in a 6-inch pot or three bulbs of a smaller variety in a 5-inch pot.

Propagation

Offsets may be detached and planted. Seeds may be sown in pans of sandy soil as soon as they are ripe. Lightly cover the seeds with the soil. Cover the pans with a pane of glass until they sprout. The seedlings should be transplanted to individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle safely. Seedlings take four to six years to produce flowers.