Amateur Gardening Magazine 15th October 2016 Back Issue

PLANT CROWN IMPERIALS AND OTHER FRITILLARIAS NOW
They’re the elegant and exotic darlings of the bulb world. Fritillaries, some patterned like exquisite jewels, some so robust and striking they take your breath away, are just the plants to give your spring garden a lift. They have an undeserved reputation for being difficult but, planted in the right place, they’ll thrive in a grassy patch under trees or shrubs or in the border even in containers. The giant of the family is the good old fashioned ‘Crown Imperial’ (Fritillaria imperialis) with stout stems rising at least 3ft (1m) above glossy strappy foliage, bearing a crown of dangling bells in bright orange, red or yellow, topped with a tuft of pineapplelike leaves. It needs a sunny spot and very free-draining soil. There are several types, including the exotic ‘Aureomarginata’ with variegated foliage and orange-red flowers. If you want something similar but much shorter, F. raddeana with its pale lemongreen bells and tufty top, is for you.