Posted: Friday 12 October 2012
by Kate Bradbury
My favourite spring bulb is the beautiful snake’s head fritillary, with its exquisite chequered flowers, and I’ve just planted 20 bulbs in the green roof on my shed.
When I plant bulbs, I feel like I’m putting them to bed: I prepare the soil, gently push the bulbs in and then cover them with a thick duvet of earth or compost. A little water and that’s it. Then I don’t see them until spring. But what an awakening - if only I could dazzle as brightly in the morning.
My favourite spring bulb is the beautiful snake’s head fritillary, with its exquisite chequered purple flowers. There are already several colonies bulking up in my garden, but I’ve just planted another 20 bulbs in my green roof, to complement the primroses, oxlips and bluebells planted last year. The roof sits on a small, low shed and brings the flowers to head height, so I don’t have to stoop down to appreciate their beauty. It’s the perfect platform to show them off.
The snake’s head fritillary is traditionally found in ancient flower-rich flood-plain meadows, so does well in my soggy garden. It grows best in a sunny spot, but tolerates a bit of shade. Most flowers are lilac-purple, but some are white with faint chequered markings on the petals that resemble a watermark.
This native flower is rarely seen in the wild these days, as so many flood plains have been drained for agriculture. Gravel extraction and urban expansion have also played a part in its demise. But, unlike much of our flora and fauna that has been pushed out of its natural habitat, the snake’s head fritillary can thrive in our gardens. Grown in the right spot and left to self-seed, it should spread slowly. You could even plant it into your lawn or mini-meadow – or on a tiny green roof on a shed at head height.
Growing the snake’s head fritillary is more than just adding spring cheer to your garden, it’s a little act of conservation.
Berghill
12/10/2012 at 22:51
Sadly the bulbs you see on sale in packets in G/C's are virtually dead. If you want them, either buy them when they are first dug up (Bridgemere often have them and if you go early they are still alive) or buy them already growing and plant out from pots.
obelixx
13/10/2012 at 12:21
It helps to soak bulbs bought now overnight in cold water to rehydrate them but even then success is patchy. Better, if you can, to buy them in pots next spring and plant them out where you have suitable gaps.
Matty2
13/10/2012 at 15:08
Now I read all this. Yesterday clutching this months GW went into garden and planted some. Wish I'd known about soaking, Makes sense.
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