Fritillaria in the garden
I like Fritillaria meleagris and for a number of years I’ve had a small patch established in the garden. Unfortunately there are far fewer flowers this year so I’ll have to buy some more bulbs if I’m to keep them going. They are beautiful plants with purple or white nodding flowers in spring. The flowers also have a unique chequered pattern which I think makes them look quite exotic.
They are native to the UK and are very hardy. Their natural habitat is woodland and meadow so they would also look good in a wild garden or grown through grass. I’m sure I read somewhere that purple is the predominant colour in the wild but when cultivated in gardens white gradually becomes the dominant colour. This is certainly true of mine. They have done fine at the front of the flower border in a slightly shady corner – till now! My soil isn’t rich enough and dries out too easily for them to thrive well. When I plant the new bulbs I’ll add lots of garden compost.
I’m also growing Fritillaria uva-vulpis in two pots. The flowers are purple and yellow. They first show facing upwards, slowly move horizontal then finally hang downwards. The plant originates from Eastern Turkey so I’m thinking it won’t like being wet over the winter. Perhaps I’d better keep it in pots as I’m sure to forget to give it protection if I put it in the garden. The number of plants I’ve forgotten to protect over the years are legion. I feel quite guilty.
Here are some pictures, click for a closer view.
5 comments
I suppose every gardener’s cultivated flower is someone else’s native wildflower. I planted F. meleagris bulbs last fall and hope to see my flowers in a few months (I’m in northern Canada – “extreme gardening”). I had no idea where these plants grew as wildflowers. I was totally intrigued the first time I saw these in a garden center. Thanks for the post about them.
Thanks Gardenista. What is strange is that sometimes native plants can be difficult to establish because they are not very adaptable yet some non natives adapt with ease. Which is why we have such a wide choice of plants available. Lucky for us.
Yes, I had no idea these were native to the UK. I’m in not-quite-so-northern Canada, but it will still be several months before my frits are up and blooming. I used to have F. michailowskyii, but now only the meleagris, as they’re reliably hardy and not expensive to purchase, either, so I can have lots!
Jodi, I tried that fritillaria too and lost it. I think I might try again but I’ll put them in pots so I can keep them out of winter wet. Oh dear I feel an interest developing.
My fritillarias are in bud. Your great images increase the anticipation for them to open! They’re such wonderful little plants.
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