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Fritillaria, that most flexible of all bulbs
FRITILLARIA
Fritillaria, that most flexible of all bulbs, is one of those unusual plants which grows from woodland to meadow, from scree to rich soil. It is a genus of the lily family and has at least a hundred species most of which are wonderful garden plants-once you track them down. This is the stuff collectors dream about and is so fascinating that the Alpine Garden Society (of Britain) founded the Fritillaria Group in 1997 to research, care for and preserve the species, many of which are endangered.
Frits as they are fondly known, have some specifics: they must be handled carefully as a bulb (don't go banging them around or dropping them); at a minimum they should be planted four times their own depth; and they want a long cool period (aka winter) to stimulate growth. They can take sun to part shade. Each of the ones we've illustrated has a different need for moisture.
Frits can be planted by the dozen and be tucked almost anywhere in the garden as edgers. Some will even naturalize in a lawn. The stems and leafs are attractive when they are out of bloom and will disappear in summer, so mark where you plant them. You can order some now (we've specified in sources) but mostly they will be shipped in August to early September and should be put in place as soon as they are available. Like many unusual bulbs, they are often ripped from the wild (Turkey seems to be a favourite raiding ground). Buy only from a responsible supplier who can guarantee they are strictly nursery-bred.
F. hermonis spp. amana. This is so new in my garden I don't know how it will weather but it is such an enchanting character I would be happy with it as an annual. The pale green checkering with the burgundy underlay is so subtle and attractive it demands a close look. I've got it in a shady situation and it grew to about 12 inches. But it's listed variously from 4 inches to 14 inches. It has strappy glaucous leaves and 1 or two flowers a stem. Some nurseries will ship this bulb in spring. It blooms in April so combine it with grape hyacinth and scillas as a background. This is a hot rock garden bulb but would also look fantastic in a container with a gravel mulch.
F. meleagris: this native of Europe has purple or white checkered surface and will grow to 10 inches high. It should be planted in rich soil, four inches deep, in full sun to partial shade; it is perfect just about anywhere in border, near trees and shrubs and will naturalize easily enough to sow through a lawn. Just don't cut the foliage down-it will disappear on its own. It needs good soil and should be divided up in August and September. Plant with Ladies' mantle, Alchemilla mollis for drama.
F. michailovskyi has garnet bells with yellow edges. Startling at first, this little beauty has become my favourite of all the frits. From Northeast Turkey and once considered very rare, it is now readily available. It blooms in April to May, and grows to eight inches high. It should be planted 6 inches deep; in sun and part shade. This is the one for the shady rock garden. It's such an unusual bulb that putting it in a pot (a Long Tom is ideal) will make it quite a centre piece. Try tucking them in with hellebores or other evergreens to show them off perfectly.
F. pallida: one to five yellow bells in a rather squarish shape hang down from one to two feet stalks. They like cool moist conditions and it is important that they not be in desert conditions during the summer. I like putting them together with grape hyacinths (Muscari spp) to get a breathtaking blue and yellow mix.
F. imperialis is so different from the others and an amazing a show stopper. It is also a demanding plant in every way. I've found it difficult to grow and that's because the bulb itself has a hollow centre and could hold water. If it isn't perfectly healthy, if it isn't in perfectly well drained situations, it's going to rot right out. It's smelly as a bulb so don't store it in the fridge; it has a reputation as repelling squirrels but I've never seen one feinting backwards away from this frit or any other bulb. Deer are not supposed to like this one either. Plant it deeply, from 10 inches to a foot and on a slight angle for all the reasons above. And plant it with euphorbias and you will not regret the price.
Copyright Marjorie Harris, 2005
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