Fritillaria raddeana
Fritillaria raddeana · Liliaceae
📷 Sten Porse · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant fritillaria raddeana: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Type
- Flowering bulb
- Blooming
- April to May
- Adult height
- 40 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water needs
- Low
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Hardiness
- Hardy (zone 4-8)
- Origin
- Caucasus and mountainous regions of Central Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Fritillaria raddeana is a rare fritillary that blooms in April-May: plant bulbs in October at 15 cm depth, spaced 20 cm apart, in full sun and very well-drained soil (add gravel, perlite).
The common mistake
Planting too shallow (at 8-10 cm) or in heavy soil: bulbs rot or fail to flower.
The pro's trick
Pair with drought-tolerant plants that camouflage post-bloom yellowing (June-July): gaura, catananche, or flax.
Care
Exposure
Radde's fritillary requires full sun exposure for optimal flowering. It also tolerates light partial shade, but direct light enhances the color of its flowers. Place it in an open location, protected from strong winds that could weaken its stems.
Watering
This plant tolerates drought well once established. Water moderately during spring growth, then gradually reduce watering after flowering. In winter, no watering is needed since the bulb is dormant. Absolutely avoid stagnant moisture, which promotes rot.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential for bulb health. Prepare a light mixture made of potting soil, coarse sand, and gravel. If your soil is heavy, raise the bulbs or grow them in pots to ensure excellent drainage.
Fertilizing
Balanced fertilizer applied at the start of spring growth is usually sufficient. Apply diluted bulb fertilizer once the first foliage appears. No overfeeding is necessary for this robust and undemanding species.
Pruning and cleanup
Let the foliage dry naturally after flowering, as it replenishes the bulb's reserves. Cut stems and leaves only once completely yellow and dead, usually in late spring or early summer. Then clean up regularly to prevent debris accumulation.
Pests and diseases
This fritillary is generally unaffected by diseases if drainage is good. Watch for slugs and snails in spring, which can damage young shoots. In case of excessive moisture, fungal rots may appear: improve ventilation and reduce watering.
Did you know?
Radde's fritillary is named after Russian naturalist Gustav Radde, who explored the Caucasus in the nineteenth century. Its bell-shaped flowers, typical of the Fritillaria genus, often display spotted patterns reminiscent of Persian fabric checkerboards, which inspired the Latin name 'fritillaria' derived from the Latin word 'fritillus' meaning a gaming die.
Where to buy it
Plant the bulbs in autumn for spring flowering. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from September to November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.