- Botanical name: Fritillaria meleagris
- Common name: Snake's head fritillary
- Family: Liliaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
Purple
Green
- Key features:
- Attractive to wildlife
- Flowers
Snake’s head fritillary, Fritillaria meleagris, always attracts attention. No other members of the Fritillaria genus can match this native wildflower for the bizarre and unmistakable colouring of its bell-shaped flowers. These come in various shades of purple and occasionally white, always with a pronounced checked pattern all over. Plants are extremely hardy and trouble-free, and are ideal for growing in a variety of situations including containers, sunny spring borders and in wildflower meadows or areas of long grass. The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Grow Fritillaria meleagris in free-draining soil in light shade. Allow foliage to die down completely after flowering.
How to grow Fritillaria meleagris
-
Plant size
30cm height
5cm spread
-
Aspect
North facing, east facing, south facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Full sun, dappled shade, partial shade
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy / clay / heavy / moist
- Plant care: Needs regular watering in pots
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 flower in March |
A
Plant does flower in April |
M
Plant does not 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 meleagris and wildlife
Fritillaria meleagris is known for attracting bees. It 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 meleagris poisonous?
Fritillaria meleagris 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
