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Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea'
  • RHS AGM

crown imperial 'Maxima Lutea'

'Maxima Lutea' is a bulbous perennial to 1.5m in height, the erect stems bearing whorls of narrow pale green leaves, and with 2-5 nodding, bell-shaped bright yellow flowers 5cm in length borne in a terminal cluster in early summer

Synonyms
Fritillaria imperialis 'Lutea Maxima'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Yellow Green Green
Autumn Green Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Liliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

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. See crown imperial cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn. Needs exposure to winter cold for germination in spring. Propagate by division of offsets in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and lily beetle

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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