Fritillaria pallidiflora

Fritillaria pallidiflora is native to Siberia and China, growing in damp meadows and sub alpines slopes that never dry out. In China they are grown in ridges, like potatoes, for medicinal purposes. The glaucous leaves are unusually broad for a fritillary at the base and lance-shaped higher up. 6 or 8 pale buttery-yellow, square-ish nodding flowers about 1¾" (4cm) long are held on a stem 12-18" (30-45cm) tall, though the stem often falls horizontal with just the final third erect. They are faintly tessellated with reddish brown, while the insides are lightly speckled with light red. They are slow to increase for a year or two, but once settled they flower regularly.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Fritillaria pallidiflora has been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit because it has proved to be reliable in appropriate conditions and a good performing plant. 

Planting Instructions

Fritillaria pallidiflora should be planted 4" (10cm) deep and 5-6" (12-15cm) apart, in a semi-shaded bed (or raised bed) of well drained humus rich soil, out of the wind and, unlike many other fritillaries, does not need the soil in which it is planted to be quite so dry through the summer. After a few seasons, they might need lifting and splitting, as the large bulbs become congested and may fail to flower.

Plant Details

Flowers   April
Height     12" (30cm)
Hardy