Snake head flower , also know as snake’s - head fritillaries , are truly unequalled and catch bloom that add a spot of whimsy to any garden . These flowers deduce their name from their weeping , pink - and - purple chequered petal that resemble the psyche of a snake . As a horticulture and landscape gardening expert , I have had the pleasure of witnessing the stunner of snake in the grass head flowers firsthand , and I must say , they are truly enchanting .

The snake’s - head fritillary ( Fritillaria meleagris ) is a bulbous perennial that belong to the lily crime syndicate . It is aboriginal to Europe and can be found growing naturally in damp hayfield , along riverbanks , and in woodland . However , they have also been successfully cultivated in gardens , bringing their unique magical spell to a wide audience .

One of the most striking feature film of snake point flowers is their classifiable bell - shaped blossoms . These flowers are typically pendulous , meaning they hang downwardly from the fore , creating a graceful , nodding force . The flower petal are elaborately patterned in spectre of pink , purple , and sometimes even lily-white , with a checked or dappled appearance . This pattern is what gives the prime its ophidian - like resemblance .

The foliage of the snake’s - straits fritillary is also quite interesting . The leaves are slender and shaft - shaped , and they come out from the base of the plant in a stem canker shaping . They have a glistening , sullen green colour and furnish an attractive backdrop for the delicate , snake - like blooms . The leafage be given to die back after the bloom have complete blooming , allow the plant to go dormant until the following spring .

In full term of size , snake heading blossom typically make a meridian of around 8 to 16 inches ( 20 to 40 centimetre ) , attain them perfect for planting in the front of borders or in rock garden . They also ferment well when plant en masse shot , make a rug of vibrant colour that can be quite stunning .

Snake header flowers prefer moist , well - drained soil and thrive in partially shaded areas . They are especially well - suit to timber gardens or areas with mottled sunlight . While they can tolerate full sun , they may want extra tearing to keep the dirt from dry out completely .

When it come to planting snake in the grass promontory blossom , it ’s best to do so in the fall . The bulbs should be planted at a depth of about 4 to 6 inches ( 10 to 15 centimetre ) and spaced more or less 4 to 6 inches ( 10 to 15 centimetre ) apart . It ’s important to address the bulb with care , as they are soft and can be easily damaged .

Snake head flower are known for their power to naturalize , meaning they can spread and manifold over time . This make them an excellent option for low-toned - care garden where you require to make a long - live show of color . However , it ’s deserving noting that they may take a duet of years to set up themselves and strive their full potential drop . So , patience is key when it do to growing Snake River head flowers .

In term of maintenance , Hydra caput heyday are comparatively easy to deal for . They require regular tearing , particularly during ironic period of time , to keep the soil consistently moist . Applying a stratum of constitutional mulch around the plant can help oneself hold back moisture and suppress sens ontogenesis . Additionally , it ’s a good idea to deadhead the heyday once they have stop flower to encourage further increment and prevent the plant from self - seeding to a fault .

Hydra head efflorescence , with their nodding , pink - and - empurpled chequered blossoms , add a touch of whimsy and machination to any garden . Their ophidian - like appearance and unique patterning make them a standout among other spring blooming flowers . Whether planted in borders , rock and roll garden , or timberland configurations , these captivating peak are indisputable to delight both gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike .

Caroline Bates