Fritillaria, are one of the most enchanting bulbs you can grow, the well known ‘Snakes Head Fritillaria’, or Fritillaria meleagris is probably the easiest to grow, and it is fascinating, with its chequered drooping flowerhead in spring it will make a show.
These are a spring flowering bulb that grow well in the garden as well as in containers. Some varieties are very easy to grow and will naturalise into the garden border. Others are a little more demanding in terms of growing conditions.
The flowers are unusual as well as colourful, mostly pendulous and bell shaped. All varieties grow well in full sun to part shade and most require a well drained soil.
Fritillaria species
With dozens of species, the world of Fritillaria has a lot to offer. From small delicate flowers to large impressive types, colours vary as well, even the popular ‘Snakes Head Frit’ comes in a white form as well as the purple type.
If you are patient try growing Fritillaria imperialis, this is the crown prince of fritillaria up to 1.5m with orange or yellow ‘Maxima Lutea’ drooping bell shaped flowers from the top of its tall stem.
Other popular species include F.uva vulpis and F.persica, like all species the best time plant these bulbs is in autumn.
Grow them in containers and they will be happy as long as you keep the moisture up through spring and do not let the soil dry out completely in summer to autumn after they have died back. We do prefer to grow them in the garden and have even naturalised them into the lawn.
Clumps can be divided after the foliage has died back, or you can wait until late winter if you wish.
Sometimes the species are lumped together as frost hardy easy care bulbs. With species from North America, Europe and Asia, they are in fact varied in cultivation requirements.
Fritillaria Bulbs 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
PO Box 7040 Leura NSW 2780
Rare woodland plants, Trilliums Epimediums, Arisaemas, plus much more.www.lynnsrareplants.com.au
P.O. Box 369 New Norfolk TAS 7140
Huge range of Spring and Summer flowering Bulbs
www.vogelvry.com.au
Large variety of Epimediums, Woodland plants and Herbaceous perennials
Mail order or nursery. We do not send to Tasmania or WA
www.cloverhillrareplants.com
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
357 Monbulk Road SILVAN VIC 3795
Guaranteed "garden worthy" bulbs, plants and perennials. Visit the website to browse our large range of daffodils or request the latest free catalogue.
www.tesselaar.net.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
P.O. Box 589 Mowbray Heights Tasmania 7248
Mail order: Suppling a range of bulbs and pere nnial plants suitable for pots and troughs. Includes Alliums
www.raithbyplants.com.au