BULBS > FRITILLARIES > CONTAINERS
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FRITILLARY GUIDES
Container grow
Snake ’s Head Fritillary , Fritillaria meleagris , is a beautiful spring bulb which has very distinctive bloom , unremarkably with a purple checked pattern .
These can get well in a range of dissimilar preferences , as long as the conditions are moist but comparatively free - draining and they are exposed to full Dominicus or mottled shade .
Can You Grow Fritillaria In Pots?
“ The vast majority of Fritillaria grow quite happily in pots , as long as they are kept in a greenhouse ” , shares Dr Robert Wallis from The Fritillaria Group .
Robert is correct : these natural spring bulb can be great for growing in container , though it is worthwhile noting that this will require a little more care than growing them in the ground .
One of the fundamental circumstance is that watering needs will be higher , and balancing wet content will be your primal worry since these plants need some wet but seldom tolerate any waterlogged soil .
Another matter to think about is thatF. meleagrisare H5 stalwart .
They will make it through the wintertime mulct when in the ground across most of the UK , but in pots , they will be jolly more vulnerable and may require some surplus insulation to protect them in the cold-blooded parts of the British Isles .
Choosing Suitable Containers
When take a container for this industrial plant , the most important matter is to opt a container with sufficient drainage that also does not dry out out too cursorily either .
Terracotta pots can work well , as they can assist regulate moisture content , but you may also use a range of mountains of repurposed objects as containers and up - cycling can be a great eco - favorable idea .
check that that the pot or container you choose has good drain at the base .
“ deepness is important when selecting a container , ” Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish explains .
“ A lower limit of 30 cm is ideal for most bulbs , and one nearly double this profundity would be appropriate for the tall crown imperial fritillaries . ”
Choosing A Compost
“ The compost needs to be well - drain , so I ’d commonly use a loam - based medium with lots of added drainage material ” , Robert recommends .
Loam - based compost sink in pot , so it is worth firm down at time interval whilst filling pots , to preclude the level dropping too much later on .
It is a adept melodic theme to add constituent mulch over the top to improve drainage .
Potting Up Bulbs
Snake ’s head fritillary bulbs should be planted at a depth of around 4 times their own height .
The bulbs should be wield carefully as they can be quite fragile and you should plant them at least 10 centimeter aside for more long - hold up container displays , or a little closer for a seasonal exhibit .
you could invest around 5 bulbs in a 10 curium mountain if you are planting on transferring the plants to your garden before they bloom , or after they die back .
But if planning on growing on in a container , you will normally aim for around 5 - 7 in a 30 - 40 cm quite a little .
However , remember that you’re able to also combine fritillary in a container for a motley show with other plants .
you could place other natural spring florescence or early summer blossom bulbs in layers to make a bulb lasagna , or you could plant up a container with other relatively low - produce perennial which wish exchangeable conditions and let the serpent ’s read/write head to pop up through the other planting .
view sum up a drop behind plant , like a variegate ivy , to further layer the interest .
Potted Snakeshead Fritillaries Care
Place your container in a cheery perspective , or in light , dappled shade .
“ Raising the container off solid surfaces using pot feet or come in pots on gravel will help see to it the much - postulate drainage , ” adds Peter .
Water well , see to it that the medium does not dry out out , but also verify that the mass medium does not become too waterlogged .
“ Watering is the most important factor in container cultivation ” , says Dr Robert Wallis .
“ Although fritillaries should be kept moist during winter , water can be increased a bit as they come into growth in the spring ” .
“ During the summertime , withhold water . Overwatering is the common cause of problem in pots ” .
“ It results in antecedent rots , inadequate growth , early quiescency and often loss of the bulbs ” .
If you decide to feast your container - develop fritillaries , check that that you apply an constitutive , potassium - rich fertiliser in spring .
Too much nitrogen can encourage too much leafy growth rather than flowers .
Top dress pots in spring with a mulch of atomic number 19 - productive compost or other organic textile for dumb - outlet birthrate and moisture retentiveness .
Look out for slug and snail in spring and for lily beetles in summertime .
appropriate the foliation to die back naturally and do not remove it while it is still fleeceable .
A period of photosynthesis is required for checkered lily to store nutrients required for next year ’s growth and efflorescence .
Once the leaves kick the bucket back , you’re able to cut back the stem turn to just above the level of the growing medium .
In long - term displays , you may decide to cut the clumps by slay bulbils from around the sides of the plants if things become a footling congested .
you’re able to also easily take the small bulbils and establish them up in new containers to increase your plant life collection over metre .
