Fritillaria meleagris, April 2008 Plant of the Month, Snakes Head Fritillary, Checkered Daffodil, Frog-cup, Guinea-hen Flower, Leper Lily

Plant of the Month, April 2008

Fritillaria meleagris

Extra notes and interesting information:

Bulb contains poisonous alkaloids.
The flower is part of Croatia’s national symbol and is the official flower of the Swedish province of Uppland (called Leper Lily there).
According to Wikipedia, some of the best locations to view fields of this flower are the Meadow of Magdalen College, Oxford, the village of Duckington, Oxfordshire (which holds a Fritillary Sunday festival), and the North Meadow National Nature Reserve, Wiltshire.

References:
Bellevue Botanical Garden Plant Collection
Wikipedia
Daves Garden

Common Name: Snakes Head Fritillary, Checkered Daffodil, Frog-cup, Guinea-hen Flower, Leper Lily.

Plant type: Deciduous, bulb.
Family: Liliaceae
Height/Spread: Height, 6-12 inches, Spread, less than 12 inches.

Leaves: Herbaceous, smooth-textured .
Flowers: purple and white, checkered cup-shaped. Flower size 1-3 inches.

Bloom Time: April and May.
Growing Conditions: Regular moisture, full sun to part sun/part shade, acid or alkaline soil, high fertility.
Diseases/pests:

Natural Range: Native to Europe.

Hardiness: USDA zone 3-8.
Location: Perennial Border, PB16 and PB17.
Other cultivars/species in the Garden: imperialis - Waterwise Garden, W06; persica – Waterwise Garden, W06, W08, W13.

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Bellevue Botanical Garden
12001 Main Street
Bellevue, WA 98005
425.452.2750

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Bellevue WA 98015-4536
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