Product description
Fritillaria Imperialis Rubra has lanceolate leaves towards the base out of which rises a sturdy stalk, high up at the terminal end the flowerheads are displayed. Along the stalk the leaves are spaced with the uppermost portion of the dark-coloured stalk bare except for the lovely flower crown display on top. Nodding, bell-shaped flowers of orange-red hues sway with beauty on top of the stalk with thinner, green lanceolate leaves or bracts on the very top completing the crown.
Tall rubies swaying in the garden, Fritillaria Imperialis Rubra are delightful blooms for the garden and will do well in most moist and well-drained soils. Plant towards the backs of beds and borders or use in woodland gardens or meadow areas for accent effects, will naturalise and increase over time. Can be used as a cut flower in interesting arrangements and vase displays
Fritillaria are herbaceous perennial plants that grow from a bulb and in in the lily family, Liliaceae. Fritillaria are noted for several distinct attributes including single, nodding bell-shaped flowers. Some of the species has only single blooms while other varietals have racemes with multiple flowers. One of the odder characteristics of some of the plants within the Fritillaria genus is a distinct and unpleasant odour.
Uniquely beautiful and varied in their appearance and colourations, Fritillaria offer some of ornamental plants’ most complex designs and colours in their flowerheads. Heirloom varieties have been grown for centuries because of their attractive beauty and fantastic blooms.
Fritillaria can vary with preferences for areas with full sun to planting in shade gardens. Plant in fertile, well-drained soils. Plant bulbs with the tip side of the bulb facing upwards and root-side downwards at depths of 5-8cm with some depth variations for larger bulbs.
Fritillaria should be planted in the autumn or autumn and regularly watered to ensure root growth before winter, followed with spring flowering. While Fritillaria make excellent cut flowers, this will likely impact the following year’s flower production. After blooming, allow foliage to die back own its own as this is a critical stage of the growth cycle restoring energy to the bulb for the following season’s growth and blooms.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planting and flowering times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
Cover the area with a layer of horticultural grit or broken eggshells to stop snails and slugs devouring new shoots as they emerge.
How to Water
Water thoroughly when planting. After this, fritillarias planted in the ground should only need to be watered during dry spells. Bulbs grown in pots and containers will need watering more regularly to prevent the soil from drying out.
How to Plant
Plant fritillaria bulbs in mid to late autumn in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-draining soil. Use a bulb planter or trowel to dig holes around 10cm apart and place one bulb around 30cm deep in each hole. Ensure the pointed end faces upwards then backfill the hole with soil, firm down, and water in well.