When to plant fritillaria bulbs - the best time to add these incredibly pretty blooms to your garden
Learn when to plant fritillaria bulbs and treat yourself to an array of beautiful blooms come spring
Knowing when to plant fritillaria bulbs is a must, especially if you want to create a garden bursting with blooms this spring.
Thankfully, the answer to 'when to plant fritillaria bulbs' is very similar to most other spring-flowering bulbs. So if you already know when to plant bulbs for spring, then it'll be no surprise to hear that fritillaria bulbs should be planted in autumn.
When adding fritillaria to your garden border ideas, it is also important that you know how to plant bulbs for the greatest chance of a beautiful display come April and May.
When to plant fritillaria bulbs
As with when to plant alliums and when to plant daffodils, fritillaria bulbs are best planted between September and November, advises Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres. This should ensure flowers between April and May.
There are three main types of fritillaria bulbs:
- Snake's-head fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) which are characterised by white or purple bell-like flowers that feature distinctive chequerboard markings
- Crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) which are significantly larger (reaching up to 5ft) and have orange or yellow blooms.
- Persian lily (Fritillaria persica) which have tower-like stems of bells not too dissimilar to lupins.
All of these types of fritillaria bulbs should be planted in autumn and can be planted in the garden or in containers. Why not try the bulb lasagne technique for a beautiful layered display?
If it's too early for you to plant out fritillaria bulbs, then experts at J Parker's advise that you 'store the bulbs in a cool and dry place until it’s time to plant them out.'
Why should you plant fritillaria bulbs in autumn?
Planting fritillaria bulbs in autumn gives the bulbs time to establish a strong root system before the depths of winter hit. This way, the fritillaria bulbs can get a head-start on their growth and be ready to erupt in beautiful blooms once spring arrives.
Can you grow fritillaria from seed?
Bulbs are one of our favourite easy garden ideas but you can also grow fritillaria from seed. It is worth noting, however, that doing so will require patience. Fritillaria grown from seed will take several years to flower whereas bulbs will flower in the first year after planting. According to experts at Chiltern Seeds, Frtiliaria seeds can be sown undercover between March and September or under glass between October and February.
Where to buy fritillaria bulbs?
Fritillaria 'Spring Bells'
These beautiful native flowers bloom in an array of shades from greens to purples and whites and will reach a height of 30cm.
FAQs
Is it too late to plant fritillaria?
So long as it's before November, then it is not too late to plant Fritillaria bulbs.
If you plant your fritillaria out much later than this, the bulbs may not flower their best this year. However, since the bulbs don't need to be uprooted at the end of the season, the bulbs will be all ready to produce a stunning display the following year.
If you've missed the autumn planting window, then it is still worth planting them out, even if they don't perform brilliantly this year.
What is the best time to plant fritillaria?
The best time to plant fritillaria is between September and November. They can even be planted as late as December so long as the soil is still soft enough to dig.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Holly is one of Ideal Home’s content editors. Starting her career in 2018 as a feature writer and sub-editor for Period Living magazine, she has continued this role also adding regular features for Country Homes & Interiors and the Ideal Home website to her roster. Holly has a passion for traditional and country-inspired interiors – especially kitchen design – and is happiest when exploring the countryside and hills of the Lake District. A keen gardener, she is a strong believer that you can never have too many houseplants.
-
4 ways to recycle plastic plant pots – clear out garden mess and stay green in the process
How to sustainably dispose of old, unused pots
By Holly Reaney
-
5 things I keep in my stylist's kit for decorating at Christmas
These have-to-have items are essential for making sure seasonal shoots and event set-ups go without a hitch
By Laurie Davidson
-
Felt baubles are this years ‘it’s decoration - they’re already selling out fast at John Lewis
It might be this year's cutest Christmas trend
By Kezia Reynolds
-
Can you plant bulbs too deep? Experts warn gardeners of this common mistake that could have disastrous consequences
How to determine how deep you *really* need to be planting your blooms
By Lauren Bradbury
-
When to stop planting spring bulbs – this is what skipping the autumn window means for future blooms
When is it too late to plant spring bulbs?
By Sophie King
-
This is the slug hack the King’s gardener swears by - and all you need is yeast and sugar
If you're looking at how to get rid of slugs naturally, this may be your answer.
By Kezia Reynolds
-
How to store a hot tub in winter - 6 steps to successfully winterise your hot tub, whether you plan on using it or not
Follow these steps to winterise your hot tub
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Do perennials need to be protected from frost? Some do – and leaving them unprotected could spell disaster for your plants
These are the perennials that need protecting over the winter
By Sophie King
-
Should you cut grass in November, or have you missed the boat? This is what the experts had to say
Time is running out
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Can you protect plants from frost with bubble wrap? It works, but you'll need to use it the right way
It's a popular frost protection method, but how effective is it?
By Sophie King
-
The 5 bulbs to avoid planting in pots, according to gardening experts - or risk being disappointed by your floral displays
Discover which bulbs to never plant in pots for a beautiful garden display this spring
By Holly Reaney