About
Fritillaria meleagris, the snake's head fritillary, is one of the most beloved of all British wildflowers � a slender, bulbous perennial to around 30 cm tall with lance-shaped, greyish-green leaves and 1�2 nodding, bell-shaped flowers in late spring. The flowers are a striking purple or white, the petals intricately tessellated in a checkerboard of pale and darker markings, like a snake's scales. Excellent for naturalising in damp grass.
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 typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0-0.1 metre
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Rock garden, Wildflower meadow
Native toEurope to W Siberia
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 and prefers cool, moist summers. Handle the fragile bulbs carefully and plant at four times own depth. Suitable for rock garden, raised bed or naturalising in grass
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