- Botanical name: Fritillaria imperialis
- Common name: Crown imperial
- Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
Red
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Crown imperial, Fritillaria imperialis, is a handsome giant. Everything about it is large – the bulbs are fist-size and the robust flower stems can reach 1.2m in good soil, with pendent bell-shaped flowers typically 5-8cm long and wide. A large clump of Fritillaria imperialis is an imposing sight, and it’s quite undemanding once the bulbs are established (but they may take a season to flower after planting).
For best results grow Fritillaria imperialis in well-drained soil, ideally on a bed of gravel, in full sun. Divide established clumps in late-summer by splitting off and potting on the small bulbils around the edge of the bulb.
How to grow Fritillaria imperialis
-
Plant size
100cm height
30cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front, middle
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / clay / heavy / moist / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do not Plant in May |
J
Do not Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do Plant in September |
O
Do Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do not Divide in May |
J
Do not Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do Divide in August |
S
Do Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Fritillaria imperialis and wildlife
Fritillaria imperialis is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.
Attractive to Bees
Does not attract Beneficial insects
Does not attract Birds
Does not attract Butterflies/Moths
Does not attract Other pollinators
Is Fritillaria imperialis poisonous?
Fritillaria imperialis has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
