Snakehead Fritillary, Chequered lily, Checkered Fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
Family: Liliaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.
Fritillaria meleagris is a BULB growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Damp meadows and pastures, especially on alkaline soils.
Europe, including Britain, from Sweden south and west to France, Serbia and the Lower Volga.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant formerly had a reputation as a healing herb, but is not used at present.
Other
Rating:
Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Massing, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers a moist non-acid soil and a sunny position. Succeeds in any soil, preferring a light soil with plenty of humus. Succeeds in sun or light shade. Grows well in short turf. A very ornamental plant, it often self-sows when in a suitable position. Rabbits are very fond of this plant and will destroy it wholesale if given the opportunity. A good plant for the spring meadow. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Plants should not be allowed to dry out in the summer. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Flowers have an unpleasant odor, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring. Protect from frost. Stored seed should be sown as soon as possible and can take a year or more to germinate. Sow the seed quite thinly to avoid the need to prick out the seedlings. Once they have germinated, give them an occasional liquid feed to ensure that they do not suffer mineral deficiency. Once they die down at the end of their second growing season, divide up the small bulbs, planting 2 - 3 to an 8cm deep pot. Grow them on for at least another year in light shade in the greenhouse before planting them out whilst dormant. Division of offsets in August. The larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions, but it is best to pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out in the autumn. Bulb scales.
Best place to grow: Meadow;
Habit: Bulb
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
The bulb is poisonous.