About

Fritillaria affinis, the rice-grain fritillary, is a bulbous perennial from western North America producing the characteristic nodding, bell-shaped flowers of the genus in brownish-purple, often heavily chequered, in spring. Takes its common name from the small, rice-grain-like bulblets that form around the main bulb.

About the genus

Fritillaria, the fritillaries, are bulbous herbaceous perennials with lance-shaped or linear leaves and nodding, bell-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes, in a wide range of colours from white and yellow to deep purple. They grow in a range of habitats from meadows to rocky mountain slopes.

Plant details

Suggested usesBorders, containers, naturalising in grass.

Care notes

CultivationPlant at appropriate depth in well-drained soil.
PruningAllow foliage to die back naturally after flowering.
PropagationDivide offsets or bulbils when dormant.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free. Monitor for common garden pests.
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-resistant. Ensure good air circulation.