Bulbs, Perennials > Fritillaria > Fritillaria imperialis > Fritillaria imperialis
Fritillaria imperialis
Crown Imperial, Kaiser's Crown
Origin: Across the plateau of Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Himalayan foothills.
Mike's
Opinion
"
A spectacular early spring bulb for the border.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Liliaceae |
| Genus |
| Fritillaria |
| Species |
| imperialis |
| Category |
| Bulbs, Perennials |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6a - 6b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6a - 6b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Height |
| 1 m |
| Spread |
| 25 cm |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Awards
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Erect robust perennial bulb with a slight 'skunk' smell. |
| Landscape |
| Informal and cottage gardens. |
| Cultivation |
| Due to the way that the bulb is formed, with the stem emerging from a depression, it is best to plant it on its side, to prevent water causing rot at the top of the bulb. Fritillaria imperialis requires full sun for best growth, and sandy, well-drained soil for permanence. After flowering and complete drying of the leaves, the stems should be cut off just above the ground. |
| Growth |
| Fast |
| ID Characteristic |
| Erect stems topped with sword shaped leaves and umbel of bell-shaped orange flowers beneath a crown of bracts. |
| Pests |
| Squirrel resistant due to the bulbs slightly 'skunky' smell. |
| Habitat |
| Rough terrain across the plateau of Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Himalayan foothills. Often in very dry to moist conditions and found growing in moist conditions in association with Rumex species. |
| Leaf Description |
| Lance shaped, glossy leaves. |
| Propagation |
| By seed, sown in cold frame pots which need exposure to winter cold for germination. Or by offsets from the bulbs when the plants are dormant. |
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