Fritillaria imperialis & Fritillaria persica

These large, exotic bulbs are perfectly hardy but might take a year or so to settle down. Plant them hollow side up in full sun or light shade in fertile, deeply dug soil. They seem to prefer a somewhat heavy soil, in sandy soils work in some leaf-mould or compost before planting. They make good border plants and are particularly effective in front of a stone wall in groups of 5 or more. Fritillarias are heavy feeders and benefit from a mulch of decayed manure or leaf-mould in the autumn and some fertilizer in early spring. Plant 15cm deep, 25cm apart.