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AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
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Other common names snake's head fritillary chequered daffodil
chequered lily drooping tulip guinea flower guinea-hen flower leper lily snake heads
Family Liliaceae
Genus Fritillaria are bulbous herbaceous perennials with lance-shaped or linear leaves and nodding bell-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes or umbels
Details F. meleagris is a bulbous perennial to 30cm in height, with lance-shaped, greyish-green leaves and 1-2 nodding, bell-shaped purple flowers, the tepals tessellated with pale pink in a checkerboard fashion. Widely naturalised in Britain, but probably not a true native
Plant range Europe to W Siberia
Foliage Deciduous
Habit Columnar/Upright
Hardiness
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H5
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing
Exposure Exposed or Sheltered
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
MoistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
SoilChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Ultimate height 0.1-0.5 metres
Ultimate spread 0-0.1 metre
Time to ultimate height 2-5 years
Cultivation Grows well in most fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils and prefers cool, moist summers. Handle the fragile bulbs carefully and plant at four times own depth. Suitable for rock garden, raised bed or naturalising in grass
Propagation Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn. Needs exposure to winter cold for germination in spring. Division of offsets can be done in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Cottage & Informal Garden Rock Garden Wildflower meadow
Pruning No pruning required
Pests Prone to slugs and lily beetle
Diseases Generally disease free
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snake's head fritillary
Buy from £7.98 at the RHS Plants Shop
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.