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Home  »  A-Z Plant Index  »  Flowering Bulbs  »  Fritillaria meleagris

Fritillaria meleagris

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The fascinating Fritillaria meleagris or Snake’s head fritillary is a relatively easy to grow and easy care member of the genus.

Fritillaria meleagris – Snake’s head fritillary

The attractive checked flowers begin closed and resemble a ‘snake’s head’ (pictured right) they then open into an attractive bell shape.

Flowers are usually maroon with white although a white forms available (still with the trademark checked pattern)

Care and Growing Notes

Fritillaria meleagris bulbs grow well in any free draining soil, well suited to a rock garden, growing in pots or in a woodland situation. Part sun to afternoon summer shade is best. Plants will reach 30cm with the flowers held high, foliage is sparse.

Plant in Autumn for a great display in late winter to early spring. We grow ours in containers as well as in clumps in the garden border. Look for the white flowering F.meleagris alba as well as few cultivars.

Originally native to areas of Europe from France through to Russia F.meleagris is now rare in the wild but common in cultivation.

Fritillaria meleagris ' Snakes Head Fritillaria'
Fritillaria meleagris ‘ Snakes Head Fritillaria’

Grow from bulbs or seeds if you are patient. Clumps can be divided in autumn to winter in Australia.

Fertilize with a liquid seaweed or slow release fertilizer.

Once established Fritillaria meleagis is relatively low care. They grow well in full sun to part shade and will grow well in containers for 3 – 4 years before needing repotting.

How to Plant

  1. Plant the bulbs 5 cm (2 inches) deep.
  2. Use a humus rich well drained soil.
  3. In late winter to early spring its time to fertilise with some organic fertiliser, a little aged cow manure and a little light mulch.
  4. In spring, its time to water Fritillaria if the rainfall is poor, this ensures better flowers.
  5. Over summer, try not to let the soil or bulbs dry complexity.
  6. After flowering, leave the foliage until it does back naturally, this will give nourishment to the bulbs for next season.
  7. Once the foliage dies off, you can remove it to tidy up the area.
  8. Flower heads can be left to promote self seeding, or removed to prevent it.
White Fritillaria meleagris
White Fritillaria meleagris
  • After the foliage has died right back its time to apply a light mulch.
  • Summary

    • One of the easiest of all of the Fritillaria Varieties to grow.
    • Deep humus rich soil.
    • A moist soil over summer, well drained in winter
    • Colors from white to the deep purple chequered.
    • Grows well in containers or in the ground.
    • Repot every 3 years.

    Fritillaria Meleagris are available for sale from the following growers


    Tonkin Bulbs
    BRYAN H TONKIN - Ph (03) 9728 1295 Fax (03) 9728 1299
    'Sylvan Vale' 375 Olinda Creek Rd, Kalorama, VIC.3766 
    Including a large range of Rare and unusual bulbs, corms and perennials
    www.tonkinsbulbs.com.au
    GENTIANA NURSERY
    138 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
    "Large range of rare and unusual plants.."
    www.gentiananursery.com.au
    Lynn's Rare Plants
    LYNN'S RARE PLANTS
    PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
    Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
    Vogelvry Bulbs
    VOGELVRY BULBS and FLOWERS- Phone (03) 62613153 
    P.O. Box 369 New Norfolk TAS 7140
    Huge range of Spring and Summer flowering Bulbs 
    www.vogelvry.com.au
    VAN DIEMEN QUALITY BULBS
    VAN DIEMEN QUALITY BULBS
    365 Lighthouse Rd Wynyard. TAS 7325
    PH 03 6442 2012 
    email to: sales@vdqbulbs.com.au 
    www.vdqbulbs.com.au
    Hancock's Daffodils
    HANCOCK'S DAFFODILS - phone (03) 9754 3328 fax (03) 9752 5877 
    2 Jacksons Hill Rd, Menzies Creek VIC 3159 
    Hundreds of different varieties of daffodils as well as other beautiful spring & autumn flowering bulbs for home gardeners. Free colour catalogues available. Tulips, Daffodils,Alliums, Freesias, Iris and many other bulbs.
    www.daffodilbulbs.com.au
    MUSKER'S at BROUGHTON HALL Rare Plant Nursery - ph 0417056110
    125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
    Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
    Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
    www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au

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