Gardening Flowers Bulbs How to Plant and Grow Fritillaria Fritillary and crown imperial are magnificent as stand-alone bulbs By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 20, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types Companion Plants FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player You can't miss fritillaria planted in a spring garden. Whether it is the charming checkered fritillary or whimsical crown imperial, these two members of the Fritillaria genus (which boasts more than 100 species) boldly separate themselves from the sea of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils they bloom among. Crown imperial's orange, red, or yellow blossom is topped with a tuft of foliage reminiscent of the leaves atop a pineapple, while checkered fritillary and its many relatives sport sweetly nodding cup-shape flowers on sturdy green stems. Rarely planted in home gardens, crown imperial and fritillary are both easy to grow and deserve a special space in the spring landscape. Fritillaria are toxic to humans and pets. Fritillaria Overview Genus Name Fritillaria Common Name Fritillaria Plant Type Bulb Light Part Sun, Sun Height 1 to 4 feet Width 12 to 18 inches Flower Color Green, Orange, Purple, Red, White, Yellow Foliage Color Blue/Green, Chartreuse/Gold Season Features Spring Bloom Special Features Good for Containers Zones 10, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division Problem Solvers Deer Resistant Where to Plant Fritillaria Fritillaria demands full sun and exceptionally well-drained soil. Unlike daffodils and tulips that are most eye-pleasing when planted in large drifts of 10 or more, strikingly different fritillary and crown imperial hold court in the garden solo or with a small group. Crown imperial will give your garden a tropical look in midspring. The red, orange, or yellow clusters of flowers look a little bit like upside-down tulips, but have strong, spiky leaves growing from the top. Lofty crown imperial stands 3 to 4 feet tall and pairs well singly with the emerging foliage of perennials. Plant it in groups of three for a bold focal point. Worth noting: All parts of crown imperial smell like skunk, so you may want to position them at the back of the border. The good news: This scent repels hungry critters. Fritillary, also called checkered lily, stands about 1 foot tall and is especially attractive in grassy, naturalized plantings or along a pathway where it will catch the eye of passersby. These plants grow well in moist areas, making them a great choice for the edge of rain gardens and streamside gardens. Plant fritillary singly or in groups of three to five. Follow these steps to make a rain garden in your landscape. How and When to Plant Fritillaria Plant fritillaria bulbs in the fall for spring bloom. The bulbs have a tendency to dry out quickly so when you purchase them, plant the bulbs as soon as possible. Place fritillary 5 to 6 inches deep and 5 to 6 inches apart in humus-rich, moist soil. Crown imperial bulbs have a small divot at the top (where the previous year's stem grew) that makes them especially vulnerable to rot in damp soil. Plant these large bulbs 6 to 7 inches deep and 8 to 10 inches apart in the fall—placed sideways to prevent water from collecting in the divot. Although big, these bulbs are fragile. So leave them alone once they're planted, and mulch them well in anticipation of winter's colder temperatures. Fritillaria Care Tips Just as fritillary and crown imperial differ in their appearance, their care requirements are unique, too. Light Plant crown imperial in full sun. The smaller fritillary grows best in full sun but will bloom well in part shade—especially if it's the dappled shade of a deciduous tree in early spring. Soil and Water Fritillary likes a humus-rich, moist soil. Because it's more susceptible to rot caused by wet soil than many other bulbs, crown imperial needs sandy soil or a well-drained rock garden. During the spring growth period, give fritillaria about an inch of water per week through rain or irrigation. Temperature and Humidity Fritillaria will tolerate heat, humidity, and cold weather without much fuss. That said, they will appreciate a 2-inch layer of mulch in the fall to get through the winter months. Fertilizer Give your bulbs a boost in the spring with an application of a balanced fertilizer, followed by a diluted application in the fall. For the amounts to use, follow product label instructions. Add a one-inch layer of compost in the fall before mulching. Pruning When flowers have faded, cut them off but allow the foliage to continue growing and storing energy for next year. When the foliage yellows, cut it down to just above ground level. Potting and Repotting Fritillaria Soil needs for growing fritillaria in the ground and in pots are similar. Choose a deep, wide pot and plan to leave the bulbs in place since they don't like to be disturbed. Good drainage is essential–soggy soil can cause bulbs to rot. When planting in containers, use a high-quality potting mix and a pot with adequate drainage holes. Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, require more frequent watering and fertilization. Despite their hardiness in areas with cold winters, when grown in pots, fritillaria are exposed to the cold. As a protective measure, winterize the pots by sinking the container into the ground. You can also place the container in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo that will insulate the roots from the cold or move the container into an unheated shed or garage. Pests and Problems Fritillaria are resistant to most common pests and diseases and, due to their slightly skunky smell, furry critters avoid them. Scarlet lily beetles are the only likely invaders. These bugs eat holes in the plant's leaves; they should be removed by hand as targeted insecticides are liable to do as much damage to the plant as to the insect. How to Propagate Fritillaria Propagate fritillaria by division. Dig up clusters of fritillaria every three to five years and separate the small bulbs from the mature ones. Replant the mature bulbs in the same location. Plant the immature bulbs in a new location but at the same depth and spacing. Types of Fritillaria Crown Imperial Fritillaria imperialis bears a bunch of large orange flower bells that hangs from the crown of tufted foliage on this bold plant. The blooms appear in midspring. The plant grows 5 feet tall. Zones 5-9 Fritillaria michailovskyi Fritillaria michailovskyi looks like an Easter candy; the chocolate-purple flower bells are tipped in golden yellow. The plant grows 4-8 inches tall. Zones 4-9 Fritillaria pallidiflora Fritillaria pallidiflora bears large, pale yellow flower bells that unfurl from shiny blue-green leaves. This selection loves moist soil and grows 18 inches tall. Zones 4-9 Variegated crown imperial This variety of Fritillaria imperialis 'Aureomarginata' makes a bold statement in the spring garden. Its leaves offer yellow edges and contrast with the tropical-looking red flowers. It grows 40 inches tall. Zones 5-9 Snake's-head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris is much more attractive than its moniker suggests. The flowers, checked bells in maroon or purple and white, dangle from succulent blue-gray stems in late spring. The plant grows 8 inches tall. Zones 4-9 Fritillaria persica Fritillaria persica is an incredible selection with chocolate-plum-color bells that dangle from 4-foot spikes over blue-green leaves. Zones 4-9 Yellow crown imperial This selection of Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea' offers lemon-yellow bells that unfurl and dangle from a crown of tufted foliage. This plant grows 40 inches tall. Zones 5-9 White snake's-head fritillary Fritillaria meleagris alba bears white bells that dangle from succulent blue-gray stems in late spring. It grows 8 inches tall. Zones 4-9 Fritillaria Companion Plants Hyacinth True hyacinths come in a range of shades, including blue, purple, red, orange, yellow, pink, and white. Their clusters of bright flowers will attract pollinators and also look beautiful planted next to daffodils and tulips. Plus, deer usually don't bother hyacinths and squirrels won't munch on your bulbs in the ground. Zones 4-9 Grape Hyacinth Though purplish-blue flowers are most recognizable on grape hyacinths, you can also find varieties of this plant that bloom in white and yellow. Flowering in midspring, it's not a true hyacinth (but does look like a smaller version of the other spring-flowering bulb). Grape hyacinth doesn't grow very tall, so plant it at the front of flower beds and borders. Zones 4-8 Daffodil Happiness, hope, and renewal are all associated with these beautiful flowers. Daffodils are sturdy plants that bounce back after snowfalls and some also thrive in the heat of the Deep South or West. And once you plant daffodils, they'll return year after year and even multiply. Extend your spring bulb display by planting similar-looking bulbs with different bloom times. For example, try three golden daffodil varieties: 'Arctic Gold,' which starts in early spring to midspring, 'Primeur,' which blooms in midspring, and 'Pay Day,' which blooms in mid- to late spring. Zones 3-8 15 Beautiful Spring Flowers in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Garden® Frequently Asked Questions Do fritillaria attract wildlife? Fritillaria attract insects, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in spring. The good news is that deer tend to leave these flowering bulbs alone. Do fritillaria need staking? If you live in an area that experiences high winds, your fritillaria, especially taller crown imperials, will benefit from some support from staking or netting, Heavy, driving rainfalls can also wreak havoc on these top-heavy plants. Does fritillaria make a good cut flower? Fritillaria are beautiful flowers in a bouquet and have a good vase life. However, the skunky smell that pervades this plant may be off-putting to those who are sensitive to it. If you want to include it in an arrangement, put the vase where it easy to see but out of range for your nose. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants. University of California.