Snake’s Head Fritillary or Guinea Hen Flower
The fascinating Fritillaria meleagris or Snake’s head fritillary is a relatively easy to grow and easy care member of the genus.
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)
How To Grow Fritillaria Meleagris – Basic Care
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.
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
- Plant the bulbs 5 cm (2 inches) deep.
- Use a humus rich well drained soil.
- In late winter to early spring its time to fertilise with some organic fertiliser, a little aged cow manure and a little light mulch.
- In spring, its time to water Fritillaria if the rainfall is poor, this ensures better flowers.
- Over summer, try not to let the soil or bulbs dry complexity.
- After flowering, leave the foliage until it does back naturally, this will give nourishment to the bulbs for next season.
- Once the foliage dies off, you can remove it to tidy up the area.
- Flower heads can be left to promote self seeding, or removed to prevent it.
Growing Fritillaria Meleagris in Pots
Although you can grow F. Meleagris in pots you do need to take extra care as this is a bulb that does not like to dry out.
In the garden it will drag itself down in the soil so that it remains cool and moist over summer.
When growing in pots you must ensure that this cool moist summer dormancy is available to it.
You can use deep pots to assist with this, and also shift the pots into a shaded position over summer. A little water over summer to prevent the soil from drying completely may be required.
You can also sink the pot into the soil, just dig a hole and backfill around it, again in a shaded position.
Best Uses in the Garden
Fritillaria meleagris is incredibly versatile in garden design. Consider planting it in the following ways:
- Woodland gardens: Under deciduous trees with dappled spring light.
- Rock gardens: Works well in gritty, well-drained soils.
- Naturalized lawns or meadows: Let them self-seed for a springtime carpet.
- Containers: Grows beautifully in deep pots with the right care.
- Garden borders: Add clumps for texture and seasonal interest.
Propagation
The easiest method of propagation is by division of bulbs, or the small rice grain bulblets that naturally form. This can be done in late summer.
You can also collect seed and sow this in early winter into seed raising mix that is kept moist but not wet. From seed to flowering plant will take around 3 years.
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
'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
138 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
"Large range of rare and unusual plants.."
www.gentiananursery.com.au
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
365 Lighthouse Rd Wynyard. TAS 7325
PH 03 6442 2012
email to: sales@vdqbulbs.com.au
www.vdqbulbs.com.au
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
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
