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Fritillaria Planting Guide
Fun, Fabulous Fritillaria! This group of bulbs tends to show up in formal and botanical gardens more often than in home gardens and that's a shame. From the unusual, highly variable patterns of checkered lilies to the fragrance of yellow fritillary to the wild party hat appearance of the crown imperials, these are fun flowers. Try a few this fall and see what you think come spring. We're betting you'll be back for more.
Success Snapshot

PLANTING
DEPTH
Species dependent; 3-6"

WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate

SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full to Partial Sun

PLANTING
PROXIMITY
Species dependent; 4-12"

BLOOM
SEASON
Spring

HARDINESS
ZONES
Zones 4-9
Shop Related Products

Fritillaria Raddeana
$15.95
Contains: 1 large bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria raddeana
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8

Fritillaria Graeca
$10.95
Contains: 3 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria graeca
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-9

Fritillaria Acmopetala
$14.95
Contains: 10 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria acmopetala
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-8

Fritillaria Checkered Lily Meleagris, White
$7.95
Contains: 10 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria meleagris unicolor alba
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8

Fritillaria Crown Imperial Aurora
$9.95
Contains: 1 robust bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria imperialis 'Aurora'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9

Fritillaria Thunbergii
$15.95
Contains: 1 fritillaria bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria thunbergii
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 6-8

Fritillaria Crown Imperial Yellow
$9.95
Contains: 1 robust bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea Maxima'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9

Fritillaria Checkmate Mix
$7.95
Contains: 10 fritillaria meleagris bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria meleagris & Fritillaria meleagris alba
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8

Fritillaria Checkered Lily Meleagris
$7.95
Contains: 10 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria meleagris
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8

Fritillaria Uva Vulips
$5.95
Contains: 10 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria uva-vulpis
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8

Fritillaria Purple Bell Michailovskyi
$7.95
Contains: 5 robust bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria michailovskyi
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 4-8

Fritillaria Persica Alba
$13.95
Contains: 1 large fritillaria bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria persica alba
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8

Fritillaria Crown Imperial Red
$9.95
Contains: 1 robust bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9

Fritillaria Persica Plum Bells
$13.95
Contains: 1 robust bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria persica
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8

Fritillaria Persica Belltower Collection
$24.95
Contains: 2 large fritillaria persica bulbs
Botanical Name: Fritillaria persica and Fritillaria persica alba
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-8

Fritillaria Bucharica
$16.95
Contains: 1 robust bulb
Botanical Name: Fritillaria bucharica
Exposure: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Hardiness: Zones 5-9
- Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3" to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. Fritillaria require a well drained site and will not thrive in soggy soil.
- These bulbs thrive in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade to dappled shade. Please check the information on each product page for the light preferences of your individual variety. Note: some noses find the smell of crown imperial fritillaria unpleasant; back of the border positions are therefore perfect locations.
- Dig holes and plant the bulbs as follows:
- Yellow fritillaria, checkered lilies and Purple bell fritillaria - 4" deep and 4" apart.
- Crown Imperials - 5-6" deep and 10-12" apart. Note - these bulbs typically have a hole in the top center where last year's stem grew. This looks odd but is perfectly normal. Plant with the hole facing upwards.
- These bulbs are rounded, with small points or slight indentations on top, depending on type. This is the side that that should be placed facing up. Or, if your bulbs have small roots still attached, use those to determine which side is the bottom.
- After planting, water well, gently soaking the soil. Roots will form in the fall. Foliage and flowers will form in the spring.
- When in bloom, feel free to cut the shorter fritillaria flowers for striking bouquets. Cutting the stems of Crown Imperials often means taking 1/2 to 2/3 of the stalk and this can negatively impact the following spring's flower production.
- After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulb for the future. Water as needed during active growth periods; about 1" of moisture per week is a good estimate. Fritillaria like dry sites when they are dormant.
- By early to mid summer the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your bulbs will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.