Fritillaria
Moles stay away from the crown imperial.
In every hanging flower of the crown imperial sits a thick drop of nectar that stays put, even if you turn the flower upside down. The plant also has a sharp scent, and moles and voles don't like it. It grows 90 to 120 cm and flowers in April and May; the snake's head fritillary stays at 20 to 30 cm and flowers in April.
Flowering month
Hand-selected for quality and size.
Plant in September or October, soon after arrival, because these bulbs are soft and fragile. The crown imperial goes 15 cm deep, with the bulb tilted slightly on its side so no water sits in it, and a good 25 to 30 cm apart. It wants sun or partial shade.
The snake's head fritillary is planted shallow instead, 7 to 8 cm, and closer together. It likes moist grass and partial shade. There it comes back by itself every year and multiplies.
For both, let the foliage die back on its own and leave the bulbs in place. The crown imperial flowers year after year if you leave it in peace. In a hard winter a layer of leaves over the top is welcome.
Read the growing guide: Keizerskroon (Fritillaria) planten & verzorgen