This delightful bulb, which belongs to the lily family, is another favorite! Checkered lilies are exquisite and showy, with nodding bell-shaped blooms in shades of purple (and occasionally white) marked with a checkerboard pattern; they feature grass-like foliage intermittently spaced on their slender stems – which are flexible, just like muscari stems. Fritillaria are a true jewel in the garden and they are also an exceptional cut flower. They are perfect for woodland and botanical couture design!

Native to woodlands in Europe, these bulbs prefer rich, well drained soil. They are an excellent choice for naturalizing in a moist, shady garden and grow about 9-12″ tall. Fritillaria maleagris grows in zone 4-8; they require low maintenance and are deer resistant. Here in Portland they bloom from late March to early May.

Thank you Theresa Bear and Gwen Severson for the beautiful images!

At the flower market in Portland, fritillaria maleagris are sold in 4″ pots after the first of the year. I like to buy a few flats in January and February every year, so I can enjoy them in the studio and use them in design as well. After they are done blooming,  I plant the bulbs in the garden – and enjoy the ones I planted the previous years the first few weeks of spring. Every year this beautiful collection grows and grows. Just like hellebores, one can never have too many fritillaria maleagris in the garden!