Fritillaries in the garden: crown imperial and snake's head

Fritillaries are unusual spring bulbs with nodding, bell-shaped flowers. The tall crown imperial with its crown of orange or yellow flowers and the graceful chequered snake's head fritillary brighten the garden in April and May. Here are the main types, how to plant and care for them and why some species are protected.

Spring flowers in pots are in our potted plants section.

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Types of fritillary

• Crown imperial — up to 1 m tall, with a ring of bells beneath a tuft of leaves. The plant has a distinctive smell; gardeners say it deters rodents, though there is little solid evidence for this.
• Snake's head fritillary — short, with single chequered bells in purple or white.
• Fritillaria ruthenica and other wild species grow in Ukraine's natural habitats.

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Fritillaries in the wild in Ukraine

The snake's head fritillary and Fritillaria ruthenica are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, so digging them up in the wild is prohibited. Buy bulbs for the garden from nurseries and garden centres.

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Planting

• Timing — late August and September, so the bulbs can root before the frosts.
• Position — sun or light shade, in loose, well-drained soil; waterlogging kills the bulbs.
• Depth — about three times the bulb height: 20–25 cm for crown imperials, 5–8 cm for snake's head fritillaries.
• Tip — plant the large, hollow-topped crown imperial bulbs slightly on their side so water doesn't collect in them.

Caution: fritillary bulbs are poisonous — wear gloves and keep them away from children and pets.

Care

• In spring, feed with a general fertiliser when shoots appear.
• Water only in drought, and less after flowering.
• Every 2–3 years, once the leaves have died back, lift crown imperials, dry them and replant in late summer.
• Snake's head fritillaries are happy in one place for several years.

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Planting companions

Fritillaries look good in groups with tulips, daffodils and grape hyacinths, while the low snake's head fritillary suits damp meadows and pond edges. Other spring flowers for the garden are covered in "Spring flowers in the garden".

FAQ

When should fritillaries be planted?

In late August to September.

How deep should a crown imperial be planted?

About 20–25 cm, roughly three times the bulb height.

Can I dig up a fritillary in the wild?

No: the snake's head fritillary and Fritillaria ruthenica are protected by the Red Book of Ukraine.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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