Scientific Name
Fritillaria sewerzowii Regel
Synonym(s)
Korolkowia discolor, Korolkowia sewerzowii
Scientific Classification
Family: Liliaceae
Subfamily: Lilioideae
Tribe: Lilieae
Genus: Fritillaria
Origin
This species is native to the alpine areas of central Asia.
Flower
Color: Purple-brown
Bloom Time: March
Description
Fritillaria sewerzowii is a perennial bulbous plant that reaches up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall. The egg-shaped bulb is up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are fleshy and broadly oval, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long at the stem base, and evenly distributed up the stem.
The plant produces 4 to 10 purple-brown, star-shaped, up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long flowers that rise from the upper stem's leaf axes. It blooms in early March.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 4a to 8b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Unusual and hardy, Fritillaria bulbs produce best when planted in moist soil in a sunny to part shade location in the flower bed. Wildflower Fritillaria lilies are an excellent choice for gardeners who want out-of-the-ordinary specimens among more common spring-blooming bulbs.
Growing Fritillaria may reach 4 feet (1.2 m) or more in spring. Use wildflower Fritillarias as specimens, in groupings, or as an addition to a traditional bulb bed.
Be prepared to plant bulbs as soon as they arrive. Plant larger bulbs with the base about 5 inches (12.5 cm) below the soil surface, while smaller Fritillaria bulbs should be planted about 3 inches (7.5 cm) down. Plant bulbs in well-drained soil and keep it moist until the root system is established.
Fritillaria bulbs resist deer, squirrels, and bulb digging rodents and help protect other bulbs that favor the critters.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Fritillaria Bulbs.
Links
- Back to genus Fritillaria
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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