Crown Imperials – Majestic Flowers Reaching High

It's rumored that Crown Imperials don't live very long. Nonsense! With the right care, you'll enjoy these imposing early bloomers for a long time.

The distribution area of the Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) stretches from Turkey to Pakistan. It's unfamiliar with heights: Not only does the plant strive heavenward in its growth, but in its native habitat, it grows on slopes at altitudes of up to 3000 meters.

The Crown Imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) has been cultivated in Central Europe since the late 16th century. For the Crown Imperial, 3 to 8 flowers are clustered together in a so-called false whorl or verticillaster. This term refers to composite inflorescences that are opposite each other and touch. The red, yellow, or orange bell-shaped flowers are crowned by a leafy tuft, whose pointed leaves protrude upwards. Crown Imperials have an intense scent that not everyone likes. However, they are said to be a mole deterrent—a blessing for any garden! Crown Imperials grow to a height of 80 to 120 centimeters, making them tower over many garden flowers and shrubs and become an eye-catcher. Their main blooming period is between April and May.

Crown Imperials prefer a sunny location. Dry, well-drained soil protects the bulb from rot. Planting is done in late summer; then, the plant still benefits from the remaining soil warmth. The planting hole for the flower bulb can be quite deep; you can dig down between 20 to 30 centimeters. This gives the plant enough support later when it has reached its full size. To prevent multiple Crown Imperials from obstructing each other, a planting distance of about 50 centimeters is important. However, you can also combine this tall plant excellently with smaller floral beauties like tulips, forget-me-nots, and snowflakes. The perfect cottage garden mix! Caution is advised if children and pets move freely in the garden. Most Fritillaria species are poisonous. This doesn't stop lily beetles from feeding on Crown Imperials. You should keep an eye on the plants and regularly collect the beetles and their larvae if necessary.

Every year, Crown Imperials have to perform heavy-duty work: they form a mighty stem and equally impressive flowers. For this, they need many nutrients. To ensure Crown Imperials are long-lived, you should fertilize them regularly and thoroughly. This is especially important during the vegetation period, i.e., in spring. If the soil has a low nutrient content, further fertilization during the blooming period is advisable.

Transplanting Crown Imperials can be useful, but it's tricky. Every 4 to 5 years, the plant should be moved to a new spot so it can gather strength in fresh soil. The best time for this is during its dormancy phase in August. However, you must expect weaker blooming the following year after transplanting.

After seed ripening, the above-ground parts of the Crown Imperial die off – but underground, the plant survives in its bulb. For overwintering, dig up the flower bulb and store it in a cool, dry place.