About
Fritillaria camschatcensis, the Kamchatka fritillary, is a bulbous perennial to around 40 cm tall with whorls of shiny, green, lance-shaped leaves. In late spring and early summer, nodding, pendant, bell-like flowers to 3 cm long � dramatic dark purple-black with contrasting yellow anthers, usually 3 per stem � are produced. A striking and unusual spring bulb for a cool, moist, partly shaded position.
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.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
ToxicityOrnamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrows well in most fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils, for a full sun location the soil needs to be damp through the summer. Handle the fragile bulbs carefully and plant at four times own depth
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn. Needs exposure to winter cold for germination in spring. Division of offsets can be done in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and lily beetle
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free