Mixed crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) — Bulbs, size 18/20
- Regular price
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€28,95 - Regular price
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- Sale price
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€28,95
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Frequently asked questions
How tall does crown imperial grow? Its stems reach 80 to 100 cm in flower, making it one of the tallest spring bulbs.
Why does crown imperial smell so strong? Its bulb and flowers naturally give off a musky scent, said to keep moles and voles away.
Shipping & packaging
Shipped within 24/48 hours via DPD
- Delivery in 2 to 5 working days
- Eco-friendly packaging: recyclable boxes and biodegradable materials
- Special protection so your plant arrives in perfect condition
- Tracking link sent by email as soon as your parcel ships
- Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page
ZEN ARRIVAL GUARANTEE
We guarantee that your plants will arrive in perfect condition. If your plant arrives damaged or in poor condition:
- Contact us promptly at hello@verdeia.eu with photos
- We will find the right solution for your situation
- No return needed — we trust you
The guarantee covers: damage in transit, plants severely weakened on arrival, and order preparation errors.
CARE TIPS ON ARRIVAL
To help your plant settle in for the long term:
- Unpack your plant immediately and inspect it
- Let it acclimatize for 24-48h in a bright spot out of direct sunlight
- Check the soil moisture before watering (dry surface = light watering)
- Wait 2-3 weeks before repotting, if needed
- Keep it away from heat sources and drafts
- Gently wipe the leaves to remove dust
Need help? Contact our team at hello@verdeia.eu or via chat.
👑 Flowers in a crown beneath a tuft of leaves • 🎨 Orange, red and yellow mix • 🌿 Stems of 80 to 100 cm • 🌤️ Flowers from April to May • ☀️ Sun • ❄️ Hardy • 📏 Bulbs size 18/20
The crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) is the most spectacular of all spring bulbs. In April, its sturdy 80 to 100 cm stem carries a crown of large nodding bells, topped with a tuft of green leaves, like a small flowering palm tree. This mix brings together orange, red and yellow flowers. It is native to Asia (Turkey, Iran), from mountains stretching as far as Kashmir, and has graced European gardens since the 16th century.
Planted at the back of a border or in groups of three, it towers over the garden just as the tulips open at its feet. Among our flower bulbs, it is the tallest and most architectural, the one that gives height to a spring border.
Which large bulb should you choose?
- Mixed crown imperial (this plant) — a crown of orange, red and yellow bells, 80 to 100 cm, in April-May. For a spectacular back-of-the-border display.
- Mixed snake's head fritillary — small purple and white checkered bells, 20 to 30 cm, in April-May. Its little cousin, for meadows and moist soil.
- Allium 'Gladiator' — large purple balls on stems over a metre tall, in May-June. To take over from the crown imperial in early summer.
- Mixed Leichtlin's camas — blue and white starry spikes of 60 to 80 cm, in May. For a touch of blue in a tall border.
Place it at the back of the border or in the centre of a bed: with its height, it would hide any shorter bulbs planted behind it.
How many bulbs should you choose?
Crown imperial makes the most impact in small groups of three to five bulbs. Allow 30 cm between bulbs, or one bulb per large pot.
- 3 bulbs: a trio at the back of a border, or three large pots on a terrace.
- 6 bulbs: two groups of three in a border, or a row of about 1.8 m.
- 12 bulbs: a border of about 3.5 m, or several groups spread across a large garden.
- 24 bulbs: a long border of about 7 m, for an imperial show in spring.
The bigger the pack, the lower the price per bulb: the 24-bulb pack works out at less than half the price per bulb of the 3-bulb pack.
Planting & location
Plant the bulbs from September to November, as soon as they arrive: they need to root before winter to flower in April-May.
- Position: sun, in a warm spot sheltered from wind that could flatten its tall stems.
- Depth: 25 to 30 cm in the ground; planting too shallow gives few flowers.
- Spacing: 30 cm between bulbs.
- Soil: deep, rich and very well drained; add sand or gravel to heavy soil.
- Hardiness: down to -20 °C in the ground, no protection needed.
The bulb is hollow in the centre: put a handful of sand at the bottom of the planting hole so that water never sits against it.
Watering & care
In the ground, rain is enough. Its enemy is excess water: well-drained soil, like the types described in our guide to substrates and potting mixes, keeps the bulb from rotting.
- Watering: low — at planting, then in pots only when the compost is dry, while the stems are shooting up.
- Fertilizer: a bulb fertilizer in spring, as the stems emerge.
- Faded flowers: cut off the faded heads, leaving the stem and leaves.
- After flowering: let the foliage turn yellow where it is; it dies back in early summer and the bulb stays dormant until autumn.
Don't move the bulbs every year: a well-established clump flowers better and better over time.
Decorating ideas & plant pairings
Its warm colours and height give structure to a bed or a sunny terrace, as in our guide to plants for a sunny balcony.
- For an orange and white contrast, plant Daffodil 'Mount Hood' in front of it — its 40 cm white trumpets flower at the same time and light up the base of the tall stems.
- For a dramatic bed, pair it with the Black Triumph tulip — the almost-black purple of the tulips makes the orange and yellow of the crowns blaze in April-May.
- For a spectacular terrace pot, plant a single bulb 20 cm deep in a large Capi Nature Groove taupe pot Ø25 cm — the pot's mineral tone sets off the orange bells and the crown of green leaves.
In a vase, a single stem is enough for a bouquet: cut it when the first bells open.
Verdeia tips
- Plant them as soon as they arrive: large crown imperial bulbs don't like waiting out of the ground — settle them in without delay, like any new plant you welcome home.
- Watch out for lily beetles: this small bright red beetle devours the leaves in spring; pick it off by hand as soon as it appears.
- Don't be surprised by its smell: the bulb and plant give off a musky scent, said to keep moles and voles away from the bed.
Technical specifications
- Botanical name: Fritillaria imperialis
- Common name: Crown imperial, imperial fritillary
- Family: Liliaceae
- Origin: Asia (Turkey, Iran)
- Delivered as: dry bulbs, size 18/20 (18 to 20 cm in circumference), in packs of 3, 6, 12 or 24
- Height in flower: 80 to 100 cm
- Flowering: April to May, orange, red and yellow bells in a crown
- Planting: September to November, 25-30 cm deep
- Position: sun
- Watering: low
- Hardiness: down to -20 °C
- Soil: deep, rich and well drained
- Life cycle: perennial, flowers again every year
- Care: easy
- Toxicity: toxic if eaten, for pets and children
- Decorative style: Boho / Colourful / Architectural
Every bulb is unique: the colour of each flower in the mix, the height of the stems and the flowering date vary naturally from bulb to bulb and with soil and climate.
Your plant, delivered with care
Every plant is hand-packed in a box specially designed for plants — secured, protected, ready to travel. It arrives in perfect condition, roots intact and foliage preserved, ready to take its place in your home.
Our Verdeia commitments
FAQ – Everything to know before adopting your Verdeia plant
How are my plants prepared before shipping?
All our plants are selected from our European partner nurseries. Before shipping, they are watered, cleaned, and protected with breathable, secure packaging. Each package is designed to ensure your plant arrives in perfect health, without any transport-related stress.
Will the plant look exactly like the photo?
The photos accurately represent the variety and the stated size. Since each plant is unique, slight differences in shape, foliage, or color may occur — and that’s part of their charm.
What are the delivery times and conditions?
Orders ship within 48 working hours, with tracked delivery in 2 to 5 working days via DPD. Shipping costs and the free-shipping threshold depend on your country — see our delivery page. You receive a tracking link as soon as your parcel leaves.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
Open your package as soon as you receive it and carefully remove the plant from its packaging. Let it acclimate for 24 hours in its new environment before watering. If it has been slightly stressed during transport, it will recover its shape after one or two days in the light.
What should I do if my plant arrives damaged?
Contact us within 48 hours with a photo of the issue. Our team will assess the situation and offer you the best solution: replacement, partial refund, or recovery advice.
Can I return a plant?
Since plants are living beings, standard returns are not possible. However, we guarantee good health upon delivery: if the plant arrives damaged, it will be replaced free of charge. For any other cases (order error, decorative pot, accessory), returns are possible within 14 days.