Sunday 23 April 2017

Plant of the Month : Fritillaria meleagris





This month many pretty snake's head fritillaria (Fritillaria meleagris) have reappeared in my garden after years of absence. We had planted the little bulbs several years ago. I like their unusual checkered flowers in a sumptuous red that seems so much more delicate than the usual Narcissus and spring snowflakes.  
After the first year of flowering they disappeared and we assumed the mice had gotten them. Not so: this year there are plenty and with unblemished lofty flower heads. What made them stay away for so long? What made them hide underground, biding their time? We have no idea and can only be guessing - dry winters? This last winter was slightly colder than the last two and had frost for longer periods. But how this might affect the bulbs, we have no idea. We are happy that they returned. 








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