Fritillaria Acmopetala

Description

The waxy, drooping bells of this handsome rock garden or sunny border plant are pale green on the outside and stained red-brown on the inside, and are carried on 12" to 18" stems, with alternating narrow grey green leaves. It is easy to grow in the bulb frame or alpine house, or a hot, sunny, free draining position if grown in the open ground. It increases rapidly by offsets, the bulb producing 10 or more bulblets in a season. They should not be disturbed, as the roots do not re-grow once broken. It grows naturally in pinewoods, fields and stony places up to 7000 ft in Southern Turkey and along the coast to Syria, Lebanon and Cyprus.

Sowing Advice

Sow seeds at any time, covering them very thinly with compost or grit, keeping the seed pot in a cool, well-lit spot outdoors. Artificial heat is not needed and can prevent germination so be very patient as many species will only germinate in the spring after chilling or freezing in the moist seed pot in the winter. Grow on individual seedlings in small pots until of sufficient size to be potted on or planted out into the open ground.

Key Facts