Fritillaria imperialis Striped Beauty

Fritillaria imperialis 'Striped Beauty' is a beautiful variety of crown imperial that stands out with its yellow-orange flowers striped with red. In spring, a tall and proud floral stem emerges, bearing a crown of large campanulate flowers topped with a beautiful tuft of green leaves. This imposing bulbous plant always makes a sensation in sunny flower beds. With a strong personality, it finds its place in a contemporary decor, alongside narcissus or tulips, in harmonious colours. 

Fritillaria imperialis belongs to the Liliaceae family. This species is highly resistant to cold when planted in well-drained soils. It originates from eastern Turkey, northern Iraq, and Iran, and is widespread up to Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with its large scale-covered bulb, whose vegetation emerges from the ground in late winter and disappears after flowering. The 'Striped Beauty' cultivar reaches about 80 to 90cm (32 to 35in) in height when in bloom. The green stem is brownish-red in its upper half and only bears leaves in its lower half. They are narrow and pointed, of a bright green colour, measuring about 12cm (5in) in length. They are arranged in whorls, meaning they are inserted in a bouquet at regular intervals. They somewhat resemble lily leaves. The plant emits an odour that may be displeasing, reminiscent of that of a bug. Flowering occurs in April-May, at the top of the stem. It takes the form of a crown composed of 6 to 20 pendant bell-shaped flowers, measuring about 6cm (2in) in diameter. In 'Striped Beauty', the flowers are finely striped with red on an orange background. 

Fritillaria imperialis are astonishing plants, and their atypical silhouette attracts all eyes. Use them to add height to your flower beds or to fill a rockery. Grow them in pots to enjoy them on the patio. The bulb is toxic and emits an unpleasant odour that repels rodents. The smell is not perceptible to humans once the bulb is planted. Imperial crowns are often planted among carpets of tulips, narcissus, or grape hyacinths, from which their tall floral stems proudly emerge. They can also be paired with plants with decorative foliage such as lady's mantle or fennel, for example. The fritillary occupies a prominent place in bouquets immortalised by the great Flemish masters such as Jean Brueghel the Elder.

In the past, the crown imperial was called "tears of Mary". Its Persian name means "the flower that weeps" because the fritillary has large nectaries in the centre of its petals producing big drops of nectar.