About
Fritillaria imperialis, the crown imperial, is one of the most stately and dramatic of all spring-flowering bulbs � a bold, bulbous perennial with stout, erect stems bearing whorled, lance-shaped leaves, and in early spring, a terminal umbel of large, pendant, campanulate, orange or yellow flowers, each crowned by a topknot of leafy bracts. An unforgettable sight in a spring border.
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
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
Native toTurkey to Himalaya
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, well-drained soils. Handle the fragile bulbs carefully and plant at four times own depth. See crown imperial cultivation
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 offsets in late summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs and lily beetle
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free