Fritillaria imperialis Rubra Maxima

Dating back to 1665, this statuesque Crown Imperial has a prominent cluster of up to ten pendant, bell-shaped, burnt orange, flushed red flowers with intricate veining under a showy hat of upright foliage atop a strong, almost pole-like, stem. Lance-shaped foliage adorns the lower portion of the flowering stem. Make sure to appreciate its interior beauty: each flower has hazy garnet-edged ivory nectories that look like eyes, and prominent, long, decorative anther-tipped stamen and pistils. Fritillaria imperialis (Crown Imperial) were native to the western Himalayas as far back as 1590. Deer- and rodent- resistant, the bulbs have a rather unpleasant funky, skunky smell. You’ll need about four bulbs per square foot. Bulb size: 20 cm/up. Full to dappled sunlight. Bloom time in horticultural zone 5: April/May. Plant 6" to 7" deep and 8" to 10" apart. HZ: 5-8. Height: 36".

Fritillaria are The Art & Soul of Spring.

Fritillaria Horticultural Tips