{"product_id":"couronne-imperiale-melange-fritillaria-imperialis-bulbes","title":"Mixed crown imperial (Fritillaria imperialis) — Bulbs, size 18\/20","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-content verdeia-product\" id=\"couronne-imperiale\"\u003e\u003cheader class=\"product-intro\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"product-highlights\"\u003e👑 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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ecrown imperial\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eFritillaria imperialis\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003cstrong\u003enative to Asia (Turkey, Iran)\u003c\/strong\u003e, from mountains stretching as far as Kashmir, and has graced European gardens since the 16th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"product-description-lead\"\u003ePlanted 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 \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/bulbes-a-fleurs\"\u003eflower bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e, it is the tallest and most architectural, the one that gives height to a spring border.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/header\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"varietes-fritillaire\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhich large bulb should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMixed crown imperial\u003c\/strong\u003e (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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/fritillaire-pintade-melange-fritillaria-meleagris-bulbes\"\u003eMixed snake's head fritillary\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — small purple and white checkered bells, 20 to 30 cm, in April-May. Its little cousin, for meadows and moist soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/allium-gladiator-ail-ornement-geant-bulbes\"\u003eAllium 'Gladiator'\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — large purple balls on stems over a metre tall, in May-June. To take over from the crown imperial in early summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/camassie-leichtlin-melange-camassia-leichtlinii-bulbes\"\u003eMixed Leichtlin's camas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — blue and white starry spikes of 60 to 80 cm, in May. For a touch of blue in a tall border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003ePlace 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"formats\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow many bulbs should you choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrown imperial makes the most impact in small groups of three to five bulbs. Allow 30 cm between bulbs, or one bulb per large pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e a trio at the back of a border, or three large pots on a terrace.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e two groups of three in a border, or a row of about 1.8 m.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e a border of about 3.5 m, or several groups spread across a large garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e24 bulbs:\u003c\/strong\u003e a long border of about 7 m, for an imperial show in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"plantation-emplacement\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; location\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant the bulbs from September to November, as soon as they arrive: they need to root before winter to flower in April-May.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun, in a warm spot sheltered from wind that could flatten its tall stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDepth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 to 30 cm in the ground; planting too shallow gives few flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 cm between bulbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep, rich and very well drained; add sand or gravel to heavy soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C in the ground, no protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"arrosage-entretien\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWatering \u0026amp; care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the ground, rain is enough. Its enemy is excess water: well-drained soil, like the types described in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comprendre-substrats-terreau-billes-argile-perlite\"\u003esubstrates and potting mixes\u003c\/a\u003e, keeps the bulb from rotting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low — at planting, then in pots only when the compost is dry, while the stems are shooting up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFertilizer:\u003c\/strong\u003e a bulb fertilizer in spring, as the stems emerge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFaded flowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut off the faded heads, leaving the stem and leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAfter flowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e let the foliage turn yellow where it is; it dies back in early summer and the bulb stays dormant until autumn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eDon't move the bulbs every year: a well-established clump flowers better and better over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"associations-deco\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDecorating ideas \u0026amp; plant pairings\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts warm colours and height give structure to a bed or a sunny terrace, as in our guide to \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/plantes-balcon-plein-soleil-guide\"\u003eplants for a sunny balcony\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor an orange and white contrast,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/jonquille-mount-hood-narcisse-trompette-blanc-bulbes\"\u003eDaffodil 'Mount Hood'\u003c\/a\u003e in front of it — its 40 cm white trumpets flower at the same time and light up the base of the tall stems.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a dramatic bed,\u003c\/strong\u003e pair it with the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/tulipe-triomphe-noire-bulbes\"\u003eBlack Triumph tulip\u003c\/a\u003e — the almost-black purple of the tulips makes the orange and yellow of the crowns blaze in April-May.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFor a spectacular terrace pot,\u003c\/strong\u003e plant a single bulb 20 cm deep in a large \u003ca href=\"\/en\/products\/pot-capi-nature-groove-taupe\"\u003eCapi Nature Groove taupe pot\u003c\/a\u003e Ø25 cm — the pot's mineral tone sets off the orange bells and the crown of green leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eIn a vase, a single stem is enough for a bouquet: cut it when the first bells open.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"tips\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eVerdeia tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"verdeia-tips\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant them as soon as they arrive:\u003c\/strong\u003e large crown imperial bulbs don't like waiting out of the ground — settle them in without delay, like any \u003ca href=\"\/en\/blogs\/conseils\/comment-bien-accueillir-une-nouvelle-plante\"\u003enew plant you welcome home\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch out for lily beetles:\u003c\/strong\u003e this small bright red beetle devours the leaves in spring; pick it off by hand as soon as it appears.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDon't be surprised by its smell:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bulb and plant give off a musky scent, said to keep moles and voles away from the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"product-section\" id=\"caracteristiques\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tech-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eFritillaria imperialis\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCommon name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crown imperial, imperial fritillary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Liliaceae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asia (Turkey, Iran)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivered as:\u003c\/strong\u003e dry bulbs, size 18\/20 (18 to 20 cm in circumference), in packs of 3, 6, 12 or 24\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight in flower:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80 to 100 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering:\u003c\/strong\u003e April to May, orange, red and yellow bells in a crown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to November, 25-30 cm deep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e down to -20 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e deep, rich and well drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLife cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial, flowers again every year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCare:\u003c\/strong\u003e easy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eToxicity:\u003c\/strong\u003e toxic if eaten, for pets and children\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boho \/ Colourful \/ Architectural\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"micro-tip\"\u003eEvery 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Everspring","offers":[{"title":"3 bulbs","offer_id":57278106599689,"sku":"50842","price":28.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"6 bulbs","offer_id":57507086926089,"sku":"61620","price":40.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"12 bulbs","offer_id":57507086958857,"sku":"61622","price":60.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"24 bulbs","offer_id":57507086991625,"sku":"61623","price":108.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/1006\/5673\/files\/couronne-imperiale-en-melange-fritillaria-imperialis-bulbes-calibre-1820-verdeia-8014092.png?v=1793616683","url":"https:\/\/verdeia.eu\/en\/products\/crown-imperial-mix-fritillaria-imperialis-bulbs","provider":"Verdeia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}