Ooh…That Smell!
If you garden long enough you’re going to discover that not every beautiful flower smells as lovely as it looks. For example, I grow pretty daisies that smell awful when you get up close and personal. Some people don’t care for the smell of marigolds and Bradford pear trees have a very pungent odor which I find rather unpleasant. Sometimes though, a plant has such valuable qualities that it makes putting up with their odor worthwhile. Fritillaria sometimes known as mission bells is a spring-flowering bulb that may just fall into this category.
There are more than 100 varieties of this bulb, all of which bloom in the spring but crown imperial is the most common and popular version of this plant. They are known for their strong odor which some think smells skunk-like but there are also varieties that do have a sweeter fragrance. The odor does serve a valuable purpose as it repels deer and rodents such moles. This bulb is very popular in formal botanical gardens but really hasn’t caught on with home gardeners. Perhaps we can change that!
These unique plants have bell shaped flowers and they look like an upside down pineapple. They range in height from 1 to 8 feet tall and their height gives them a stately, impressive look that makes them a perfect plant for the rear of your flower border. If you want to make a bold statement in your garden this may be the plant for you! Fritillaria blooms in April and May and comes in a range of colors including yellow, orange, red, white and green.
Like tulips and daffodils this bulb prefers well-drained soil; too much water will cause the bulb to rot. They should be planted roughly 3 to 8 inches apart and about 5 to 8 inches deep. They grow best in full sun conditions and once planted they do not like to be disturbed which may not make them a good choice for containers. Once they finish blooming you should leave the foliage in place and allow it to turn brown before it is removed. Just like other spring-flowing bulbs this step is necessary to help the bulb store energy for next year’s show.
Fritillaria can be planted in garden zones 3 through 8. Some people do find the bulb irritating to the skin so wearing gloves when you handle the bulb is recommended. It is also recommended that the bulb be kept away from pets and children as some parts of it can be poisonous. Finally, another unusual feature of this plant is that it generally has a significant depression or hole in the top of the bulb. This is normal and in order to prevent the bulb from rotting due to this characteristic the bulb should actually be planted sideways.
So, if you want to add something a little exotic to your garden this spring perhaps you should give Fritillaria a try.
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