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Fritillaria elwesii

Fritillaria elwesii
Elwes's fritillary

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A botanical species of modest size (30 to 40cm (12 to 16in)) that blooms between March and May, depending on the climate. It produces dark flowers, striped with violet-brown and apple green, in the shape of narrow and pendulous bells. Its foliage emerges from the ground in January-February and disappears at the beginning of summer. It is a hardy plant that thrives in rockeries or in any very well-drained, fairly rich soil that is moist in spring but rather dry in summer. The young plants are planted in autumn, in full sun.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
10 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time September to December
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Flowering time March to May
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Description

Fritillaria elwesii, or Elwes' fritillary, is a botanical species that is still relatively unknown and comes to us from southern Turkey. It is a charming and modest bulbous plant, with muted colours, which will make a small impact in rockeries or raised beds with well-drained soil that is dry in summer. Its spring flowering takes the form of narrow, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in dark tones, which shimmer with golden reflections in the sun. Plant the bulbs in autumn, in the sun in cool regions or in light shade in warmer ones. This wild fritillary will delight collectors of rare plants!

 

Fritillaria elwesii belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean, with its natural range extending from the eastern Aegean Islands to southwestern Turkey, through Lebanon and Syria. In the wild, it is found in pine forests and scrubland up to 900m (2953ft) above sea level. It is a plant with bulbous scales. Its growth emerges from the ground from January to February, depending on the climate. It produces slender floral stems that reach 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) in height when in flower. These stems bear long, narrow, slightly curled leaves, in a random arrangement, with a green-grey colour. Flowering occurs between March and early May, depending on the climate. At the tip of each stem, one to three flowers appear, hanging towards the ground, measuring 4 to 5cm (2in) in length. Each corolla is surrounded by green sepals. The petals have olive-green and purple to aubergine stripes. Their curled tips are yellow, as are the stamens. The waxy coating that covers the corollas alters their colour depending on whether they are in shade or in light. The plant enters a dormant period in the summer in dry soil.

This Elwes' fritillary, of southern origin, is particularly suited to hot and dry climates. In the wild, it benefits from spring moisture, while enduring dry and hot summers. In winter, in its native regions, rainfall is quite rare and temperatures are mild. This prevents excessive moisture around the bulb. These conditions should be replicated in the garden or in pots in order to successfully cultivate and see it flower faithfully year after year. To accompany it, consider, for example, Greek anemones, as well as botanical tulips and botanical narcissus.

Fritillaria elwesii in pictures

Fritillaria elwesii (Flowering) Flowering

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 10 cm
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour violet
Flowering time March to May
Flower size 5 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Fritillaria

Species

elwesii

Family

Liliaceae

Other common names

Elwes's fritillary

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference19604

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Planting and care

This bulbous plant should be planted in autumn at a depth of 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in) in very well-drained soil. Adding sand or fine gravel can prevent bulb rot in winter. After flowering, the leaves should be left to allow the bulb to regenerate. Elwes' fritillary can be grown in a pot with well-draining substrate, which should be protected in an alpine greenhouse during winter (cold, but almost dry). This species grows in slightly acidic, neutral, or calcareous soil. In dry soil, the bulb can withstand brief frosts of around -20°C (-4°F). In colder regions, it should be planted in full sun. In warmer climates, it will appreciate some shade in the afternoon.

Its Mediterranean origin means that it tolerates dry and hot summers. However, it needs rain in late winter and spring. These conditions are met in nature and should be mimicked in the garden to successfully cultivate it and see it faithfully bloom year after year.

Planting period

Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time September to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Experienced
Planting density 100 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, well-drained, dry in summer

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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