snake's head fritillary
Fritillaria meleagris
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Seed Propagation,Bulbils,Offsets
Hardiness Zone:
3 - 8
Flowers:
Checkered reddish-brown, purple, white, gray Flowers In Spring
Sun:
part sun/part shade,full sun
Fruits:
purple,pink,violet,white Fruits In Spring Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Low
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Snake's head fritillary should be watered once per week. The soil should be kept moist but not soggy, as the bulbs can rot in too wet conditions. When watering, use lukewarm water, enough to moisten the soil but not to create standing water in the pot. If temperatures are warm, you may need to water twice per week to keep the soil moist.
sunlight
Snake's head fritillaries need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, preferably between 10 am and 6 pm for optimal growth. They should be planted in a sunny location in a warm, sheltered area that doesn't stay damp for extended periods of time. The best time to plant these plants is in fall or early spring, during a period when the climate and temperatures are mild and sunlight is more abundant. However, these plants can also survive in shady locations if they are provided with supplemental artificial light for 4-6 hours each day.
pruning
Snake's head fritillary should be cut back after it flowers in late spring, reducing its foliage by about half. For optimal flower production, this pruning should occur soon after blooms fade. Tools used should be clean, sharp shears or pruning knife for best results. It is important to complete this task before the plant can set seed. Shortening the stems within the plant clump allows for healthier blooms the following year.
