by Erin Marissa Russell
Once you ’ve seen a checked lily flower ’s geometrical markings , it ’s gentle to tell where this stunning flower amaze its name . Marching line of squares cover each doorbell - shaped bloom of the fritillaria meleagris , format like mosaic tile in an array of alternating shades . The checkerboard gist come from the blossom ’s high - line chromaticity , which set a cryptic , velvety burgundy against pale , papery white . However , we ’re betting most readers have n’t had the chance to see one of these beauties yet , at least not in person . That ’s why you should determine to get the checked lily in your own bloom garden this year . Although this bewitching recurrent is n’t busy when it comes to care , the checkered lily is n’t part of nigh enough gardens yet .
Perhaps that ’s because fritillaria meleagris is native to Europe , where swaths of them carpet the outpouring plains and dose woodlands with color . The UK - base Royal Horticultural Society bestowed it with the Award of Garden Merit , which is an honour earmark for plants that do reliably for gardener . The checked lily ’s nod , pendant - shaped blossoms , each about two inches tall , produce a kaleidoscope consequence when aggroup thanks to their distinctive colouration and the checkerboard form on their petals . The mantrap of this efflorescence , however , has a definite nervous edge .
Folklore tradition tie fritillaria meleagris to persecution , calvary of paragon , the Sacred Heart of Christ , and to the scriptural character Lazarus , who Jesus raised from the dead . These associations may be due to the blood - red hue of its salad days . The Engish poet Vita Sackville - West gave the flower a fitting ( and slimly macabre ) description in her visually fire botanic meditationSome prime , compose that “ you’re able to face flop down into its depths , and see the queen semifinal - foil of the queerly foreign , wine - colored goblet . It is a sinister minuscule flower , sinister in its plaintive colors of decay . ”
However , it ’s improbable that decay will be the first thing you mean of come midspring when you spy the checked lily ’s first bloom . Instead , you ’ll be enrapture by the otherworldly fairytale palpate this one - of - a - kind pattern flower can fetch to your flowerbeds or containers . Fritillaria meleagris also makes an splendid choice for lawns or other grassy , naturalize areas if you ’re looking for an untamed flavour . Because this hardy flower spreads easily from seed , in a born setting it will proliferate and bring beauty year after yr . Though it ’s an belligerent multiplier , fear not , however — the checkered lily is not categorise as invasive .
Fritillaria meleagris blooms atop halt that arise 12 to 16 column inch magniloquent , with grassy , blade - shaped silver - immature leave space equally along the slender stalk . In addition to the aforesaid Bourgogne and livid , the checked lily ’s blossoms may also feature gray , tawny brown , or purplish chromaticity . A less common variety features white flowers with pale green pattern .
The checkered lily ’s height cook it a bedazzle choice to inch beds or line of business walkway . Even better , its touchy leafage does n’t take up much space , leaving mass of options ( and quad ) for complementary or companion planting . If your grease has less than optimum drainage , this unique flower is an peculiarly adept choice , as it flourishes when supplied with passel of wet . Checkered lily even performs well under densely canopy tree — even pitch-dark walnut tree tree — where other blossom may struggle due to deep shade and dampish soil .
The checker lily may be mostly unknown in the U.S. merely because most American nurseryman have n’t yet had the opportunity to know the its charms . It ’s time to change that flop now . study on to learn more about this showstopping flower — and you ’ll find out why fritillaria meleagris is a smart pickax to revitalize drab spots in flowerbed , rock gardens , or flowerbed plot of ground .
Varieties of Checkered Lily
The flower ’s most common name , checker lily , is interchangeable with its Latin botanic title , fritillaria meleagris . Guinea hen heyday , checkerboard checkered lily , and Snake River ’s head checkered lily are other common monikers for the chequered lily . In fact , this heyday ’s unique markings and shape clearly spark the imaging , as fritillaria meleagris has a litany of names base on its unusual appearance . These include cheat flower , chequered daffodil , drooping tulip , Gaul cup , Lazarus bell , leper lily , meadow fritillary , widow woman ’s wail , weep widow , and sometimes entirely the first word of the plant ’s Latin name , checkered lily . That said , not all fritillaria plants on the market are create equal , so there are a few more type you should know to avoid confusedness or ending up with the wrong flower .
You ’re likely to scat across other fritillaria varieties because more than 200 exist . Another prevalent type is calledfritillaria imperialis , with the nickname crown regal . The Aurora and Rubra Maxima variety show showcase orange - violent bloom , and Lutea Maxima ’s blooms are a gay yellow . Fritillaria imperialis is a completely separate flower from fritillaria meleagris — one that ’s vivacious and impressive in its own rightfield . The two plowshare a phratry resemblance when it comes to bloom embodiment and plant social organisation . Do n’t obscure your genus Meleagris with your imperialis , though — or the ejaculate you nurtured so attentively might open to expose different bloom than you looked forwards to . Due to its skunklike odor , fritillaria imperialis is n’t a favorite for flowered arrangements , despite its striking sound looks .
The other wide cultivate fritillaria plant , fritillaria persica , is an unexpected garden accession know for its hues , which range from a warm chocolate brownness to purpurate so dark it‘s almost black . This sophisticated fritillary crams up to 20 flower on each of its silvery stems , stack them vertically on the stalk in the style of hollyhock or sword lily . Whichever checkered lily you ’re looking for , check online or catalogue listings ( or , in a baby’s room , the hunky-dory print on the seed packet or shred ) to ascertain you end up with the specimen you ’re seek . you’re able to peruse the more than 200 character of fritillary flowers that exist atThe Fritillaria Group sitefrom the Alpine Garden Society .
Growing Conditions for Checkered Lily
In addition to its home in the UK , fritillaria meleagris will perform well in USDA geographical zone three through eight . This well-situated - upkeep lily is appropriate for containers or in stain range from full sunlight to half sun / one-half shade to full shade . However , it prefers shady areas cloud with sunlight or high , capable shade , such as areas underneath trees . pick out your location cautiously , as the check lily does n’t care to be locomote once it ’s planted , so incandescent lamp should remain undisturbed if possible .
The grime where you ’ll plant fritillaria meleagris should be relax before you target the bulbs . Choose mean , moist territory that ’s loamy — or you may make your soil more to the checkered lily ’s liking by adding raise black peat to the premix . destiny of constituent matter will help your lilies to thrive , so you’re able to add plenitude of compost to the plot where they ’ll develop if the land is n’t already a mystifying , rich lightlessness . Mulch can be left on throughout the raise season if you like .
Do n’t be too concerned with drainage . This flower loves moisture year - round and will happily drink up the piss rain folio in badly draining expanse . If you ’re planting fritillaria melagris on a lawn or in another naturalized scene , you’re able to crease off veer grass before you plant your bulbs to foreclose the grass from contend too stiffly with your flowers .
Expect blooms in mid to recent springtime ( around April ) , at the same time as Narcissus pseudonarcissus and just before lily of the valley . Companion planting withannualsbetween the bulbs is recommend if you wish to avoid the unsheathed spot allow behind when the lilies go torpid .
How To Plant Checkered Lily
Plant your electric light in former drop , and time your parliamentary law carefully . You ’ll desire to get those bulb in the ground as shortly as they get to foreclose them dry out out or becoming moldy . Some bulb may get with stain or squishy texture , but this is normal . The only cause for concern is if you receive bulbs that are so dry they ’re powdery .
industrial plant in disposed filth at five inches deep , with 16 electric light per straightforward infantry ( or four to six column inch between incandescent lamp ) . You may choose to herd the bulbs more closely if you ’re going for a clustered flavor or when using containers . In this type , keep the five - in depth , but put no more than an in between the bulbs . Whichever layout you choose , water well after constitute .
Care for Checkered Lily
We ’ve refer how much fritillaria meleagris loves wet . Give these lily what they love by keeping stain consistently moist . Do n’t allow off on hydration when works go sleeping , either . The stain should not be allowed to dry out out disregarding of the time of year .
The chequered lily ’s leaf will commence to go bad back when the plants begin going abeyant in late spring . take into account this to befall naturally , and do not remove the leafage , as it will sustain the bulb and encourage them to return next time of year . Let your plants define seed before mowing them , if desire , in late July . When you deal for fritillaria meleagris well , it will multiply in number and come back year after twelvemonth .
In fall when the bulbs are abeyant , checkered lilies can be propagate by naval division . Every few years , dig up the bulb and look them over to secure their health . If extra bulbs have form , carefully separate them . Replant the original bulbs as quickly as you may , and move fresh circularize bulbs into the garden grime or container where they ’ll stick . you’re able to also harvest the tiny bulblet that figure between the leaves of fritillaria melagris , but wait as long as potential to secern these bulbil from the stem and graft them . commend to choose your placement cautiously , as checkered lily thrives when it is n’t disturbed .
Garden Pests and Diseases of Checkered
Lily
One perk of the checkered lily is that it ’s not plagued by pest and disease . The flora are resistant to cervid and squirrels , and the slightly skunky odor the bulb give off even repels field mice . Lily beetles are the only hazard you ’ll need to keep an eye out for . withdraw the mallet or larva by hand ( wear yourgardening gloves , of course of study ) .
Videos About Checkered Lily
scan through for the basics ? This intro to grow checkered lily cover the highlights in just a minute and 25 second :
Whether you want to get the most smash for your metaphorical buck or are looking for tip on how to amp up the production of gorgeous efflorescence on chequer lilies you ’re already tending , this video use a troubleshooting approach to aid you make the most of each bulb in your plot :
If you have n’t been lucky enough to see the majesty of fritillaria meleagris in mortal ( or if you just require a elaborated visual source ) , this brusk clip provides a gracious view of a stand of checkerboard lily plant :
Want to Learn More About Checkered
Lily?
American Meadows shroud Fall Flower Bulbs : Checkered Lily
Better Homes & Gardens covers 12 Beautiful Bulbs Deer and Rabbits Do n’t eat on
Gardenia Covers Checkered Lily
Cornell University covers Checkered Lily
SFGate Homeguides cover When to Plant Checkered Lily
Iowa State University Extension compensate Fritillaria
Missouri Botantical Garden spread over Fritillaria Meleagris
Royal Horticultural Society overlay Award of Garden Merit
Spring Hill Nurseries covers Checkered Lilies
The Telegraph cover Fritillaries , a Flower with the Power to Make You Gasp
White Flower Farm extend Fritillaria Meleagris
