Fritillaria Imperialis - How to Grow from Bulbs

ORIGINS OF FRITILLARIA IMPERIALIS

Also known as Crown Imperials or Kaiser's Crown - Fritillaria Imperialis is a member of the Lily family.

One of the ealriest plants to be cultivated it is a native of Asia - found in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and the foothills of the Himalayas.

GROWING GUIDES

PLANT SOCIETIES

CROWN IMPERIALS - Fritillaria Imperialis

Yellow Crown Imperials or Fritillaria Imperialis Crown Imperials or Fritillaria Imperialis are grown from hardy bulbs which bear tall imposing flowers on stems 3 to 4 feet high.

Although the wild form that is found is normally an orange red, the flowers of cultivated varieties range in colours from scarlet red through oranges to yellow.

Fritillaria Imperialis should be cultivated in deep, rich well drained soil.

CULTIVATION - PLANTING BULBS AND AFTERCARE

Fritillaria Imperialis grow admirably well in shady places or in narrow borders alongside the house walls.

The bulb should be planted very deep - at a depth of least 10 inches.

It is best to plant the bulb on its side - this prevents water collecting at the top of the bulb and causing it to rot .

An inch of sand in the bottom of each planting hole will also lessen the chance of the bulb rotting.

Once the plants start to grow keep a lookout for lily beetles

After they have flowered and the leaves have dried out , the stems of Fritillaria Imperialis should be trimmed off just above the ground.

GROWING FRITILLARIA IMPERIALIS IN POTS

Fritillaria Imperialis or Crown Imperials also make useful pot flowers in the greenhouse if one bulb is potted in a 6 to 8 inch pot

For growing in pots the compost should be a mixture of equal parts loam, peat, leaf-mould, decayed manure and sand.

GROWING FRITILLARIA FROM SEED

Crown imperials can be grown from seed, although the seedlings do not flower for some years.

VARIETIES OF CROWN IMPERIALS

Varieties cultivated are the Fritillaria Imperialis, and its varieties, latifolia and pallidiflora.