Description
This is another of those wonderfully “different” Fritillaria species, with large out-facing blooms in shades of light to mid pink, early in the year.
There are not many truly pink Fritillaria; alburyana is a snow melt example, stenanthera is an arid land plant whilst pluriflora occupies the “Mediterranean” niche, growing in summer-dry fields of heavy Adobe clay and nearby Serpentine ridges. Despite the heavu clay soil it grows in, in the wild, it dies quickly in such soils in cultivation in the UK. Instead it needs its conditions simulated. Seasonally heavy watering in spring, dry summer and not too dry a summer bake. In the wild the bulbs are deep and protected from excess desiccation by the heavy clay nature of the soil.
This are nice, seed-raised, cultivated bulbs, for a choice spot in a bulb frame or pot. They appreciate good drainage and fertility in good light, as they start into growth quite early. Not difficult but neither is this a plant for a novice grower.
