Fritillaria meleagris (Snakeshead Lily)

Fritillaria Meleagris or Fritillaries are most often called Snakeshead Lily. It is sometimes referred to as guinea-hen flower, chess flower, frog-cup, chequered daffodil and chequered lily. They take on many forms but the defining feature of the fritillaria is the drooping flower head. It helps protect the pollen from the elements and makes this group of bulbs important to pollinators.

Fritillaria Meleagris Mixture is a blend of white and the incredible chequered pattern of white and purple. They grow up to 40cm tall on long thin stems with grass like foliage. The bulbs flower in April.

How to plant

I have found Fritillaria Meleagris can be difficult to grow if you don’t have the right conditions. The bulbs are white and fleshy and scar quite easily. Damp conditions are what they need and perform well in fertile wet soil. You are most likely to find them in deciduous wood lands where the bulbs are protected from the sun by the canopy of the trees and the rotten leaves provide a lot of humus rich soil.

Plant them 5-8cm deep and a few centimetres apart. We would say October is the best time once the hot September weather has passed.

Here’s a short video of the different types of Fritillary if you’re looking for inspiration