Fritillaria meleagris

Also Known As

Checkered Lily
Snake's Head Fritillary

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber

size

H: 6"-12"
W: 3"-9"

planting zones

5a-9b

More Options

Fritillaria meleagris plant details

Fritillaria meleagris is a broadleaf deciduous perennial bulb / corm / tuber with green foliage. In spring purple, red and white flowers emerge. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Fritillaria meleagris

Plant type: perennial bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: liliaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 3 IN - 9 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: purple, red and white blooms in spring

GROWING CONDITIONS for Fritillaria meleagris

USDA Zones: 5a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer and rabbit, verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fritillaria meleagris or chequered lily is an easy-to-grow fritillary with beautiful warm purple, bell shaped, pendulous flowers tesselated or chequered with white. Plants will bulk up into nice clumps over time. Tolerant of part shade.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

(SNAKESHEAD LILY) Beautiful bulbous perennial, 8-10” stems of blue green topped with dangling checkered bells of deep purple in spring. Enjoys a moist shaded position in free draining soil...try it under trees or next to a pond. Deer resistant, will naturalize where happy!

By: Secret Garden Growers

This small grower is composed of narrow, green, ruffled leaves, bordered with a creamy edge. The 16" wide clumps are topped with 18" spikes of purple flowers in late summer.

By: Noname Nursery

One of our perennial bestsellers, this odd little bulb has nodding flowers of maroon and dusky rose (or occasionally white), and each is checkered! Grown since colonial days, it prefers light shade and cool, moist sites. Our bulbs are wax-dipped to preserve their vitality. We forgot to plant some until February one year and they still bloomed! Aka guinea-hen flower, 10-12", zones 4a-7b(8bWC)

By: Old House Gardens

Checkered Lilies have exquisite markings of gray and blackish red on nodding dusky purple bells. Best in the woodland garden with cool soil during our hot summers.