Fritillaria imperialis var. imperialis

Fritillaria imperialis var. imperialis is a robust, tall-growing, red-flowering, bulbous perennial that is found in the wild across Central Asia from Eastern Turkey, the Kurdistan region of Iraq and into the Zargros and Elbourz mountain ranges of Iran and across to Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kashmir, growing at high elevations. Coming from such high altitudes, it is a very hardy plant and if planted deep enough and given good drainage and a thick mulch, Fritillaria imperialis is perfectly capable of surviving temperatures down to -20 C and even lower with the insulating effect of snowcover. 

Fritillaria imperialis var. imperialis - often known in cultivation by the name Rubra Maxima - is a stunning plant with lush foliage and tall straight stems that at maturity can reach in excess of 1.5m although 1m is more usual. Sitting atop them is a gorgeous circular panicle of pendulous, rich orange-red, bell-shaped flowers crowned with a splendid tufty topknot of leaf bracts. Very exotic.

The bulbs should be planted very deep, about 25cm, and to prevent rot need to be laid on their side and given a generous bed of sharp sand and gravel. They prefer an alkaline soil and for best growth limestone chippings should be added to the gravel/sand/soil mix. They appreciate full sun and a regular feeding with a potash-rich fertiliser. Fully hardy - if given excellent drainage - the bulbs are best left undisturbed. 

Hardy, exotic, gorgeous flowers ... what more could you want ? Oh yes, a weird musty odour ...