FRITILLARIA
A large and variable family of northern hemisphere bulbs closely related to lilies but these are spring flowering. All require well-drained soil, protection from wind and a fairly dry dormancy to thrive. We have greatly reduced the list this season to concentrate on the garden-worthy species although collectors will find the occasional treasure here as well. First timers try some of the easier species, as skill and experience are pre-requisites for success.
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acmopetala A handsome frit for a dry spot in the garden. Nodding bells in green and maroon with
recurved tips on tall stems. An attractive species and a good starter for beginners.
FS/1st $4 or 3 for $10 |
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affinis An excellent American species bearing broad, heavily-chequered blooms, flecked with
golden-yellow on tall stems. A robust, easy-going plant for a well-drained, sunny spot in the
garden. FS/1st $8.00 |
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amana Tall growing species from eastern Turkey bearing large, pale green, square-shouldered
bells. Outer petals faintly tessellated reddish and inner ones marked along the fascia with deep
reddish-purple. Rare offering FS/1st $9.00 |
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argolica Close to F. rhodokanakis and once thought to be a hybrid of it. From abandoned olive
groves on the island of Poros near the Peloponnese. Early, large bells of reddish-brown, stippled
variably in green and gold. FS/1st $8.00 |
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conica An extremely rare plant from the SW flank of the Greek Peleponnese. Gorgeously crisp,
large yellow bells on 25cm stems with bright green foliage. An lovely treasure and what's more its
easy! FS/1st $8.00 |
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davisii Broad, dark chocolate bells, barely chequered, over shiny, green foliage. Variable in height and
easy in the dry garden. An exquisite endemic from the Mani in Greece. FS/1st $6.00 or 3 for $15.00 |
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ehrhartii Bloomy, yellow-tipped, grape-black bells that glow to ruby in the spring light. A beautiful
native of Euboea in Greece, rarely offered but has proven an easy species for a dry site.
FS/1st $6.00 or 3 for $16.00 |
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graeca var guicciardiiLarge bells of russet-brown boldly marked with broad peppermint green
stripes. The archetypal Greek fritillary. FS/1st $7.00 |
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graeca ssp thessala A native to northern Greece and Albania, this is a robust species for a sunny position. Green bells, striped and chequered rust-red borne tall stems. Larger than the type and more useful in the garden. FS/1st $ 5.00 |
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grayana (syn. roderickii) A surprisingly easy American species (I wish there were more!). Closely related to F. biflora, shiny green leaves and shiny purple brown bells with a white blotch on each petal. FS/1st $5.00 |
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imperialis The legendary crown imperial or imperial lily. A lance-like stem carries whorls of daggershaped,
green leaves and a crown of large amber-orange bells. Very few and a strict limit of 1 per
customer. 2 years to flowering $25.00 |
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meleagris Easy in the garden and arrestingly beautiful with its large, square-shouldered bells in
subtle shades of reddish-mauve and grey on tall stems.An occasional white form may have found
its way into this offering. FS $3.00 or 3 for $8.00 |
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messanensis ssp gracilisA tall and handsome species of understated beauty from the Balkans
bearing rich chestnut-brown bells with shining gold interiors. Very hardy and one of the most
vigorous in the garden. FS $7.00 |
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messanensis ssp messanensis A tall and handsome species of understated beauty from the Balkans
bearing rich chestnut-brown bells with shining gold interiors. Very hardy and one of the most
vigorous in the garden. FS $7.00 |
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michailovskyi Striking bicoloured bells in reddish-mahogany, tipped bright yellow on 25cm stems
with grayish leaves. A much admired Turkish species with lots of star appeal. FS/1st $ 8.00 |
mutica Broad, yellow to greenish-yellow bells, lightly flecked with black and reddish brown with
winged seed heads as an added bonus. Tall American species closely related to the highly variable
F. affinis. FS/1st $7.00
pallidiflora From Kazakhstan bearing very large, square-shouldered, lemon bells on 50cm stems.
Very beautiful species that's easy in the garden. FS/1st $12.00
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pontica An excellent garden plant with an understated elegance and cool charm. Medium to large
sized green to greenish-yellow bells delicately edged terracotta pink at the tips.
FS $3.00 or 3 for $8.00 |
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pyrenaica A strong-growing, robust species from the Pyrenees easily cultivated in the open
garden. Large, widely flaring, bell-shaped flowers in dark purple brown, shining yellow within, on
35cm stems. FS/1st $7.00 |
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sibthorpiana Utterly distinct with its bright yellow bells, reflexing outer petals and very few broad
leaves." Lost" for 185 years after Sibthorp's type collection but recently relocated in SW Turkey.
FS/1st $10.00 |
stribrynyi Bloomy, purple and green bells with linear, narrow greyish leaves on tall stems and
winged seed-heads. An elegant species limited to southern Bulgaria and adjacent European
Turkey and rarely offered. FS/1st $8.00
tuntasia Endemic to a few islands in the northern Cyclades islands in Greece. Large, bloomy,
black bells on tall stems clothed in twisted, grey leaves. Closely related to F. obliqua from the
mainland this is the true species from Serifos. FS/1st $9.00
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uva vulpis A handsome plant bearing slim, glaucous brown bells tipped yellow on tall stem that
clasped with broad grey leaves. Not difficult and an excellent addition for a sunny spot in the
garden. FS/1st $4.00 or 3 for $11.00 |
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