Northwest Blooms · Bulbs
Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra'
Red Crown Imperial
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Height
- 3 to 4 ft
- Width
- 1 to 1.5 ft
- Flower color
- Deep orange-red, nodding bell-shaped flowers held in a circular cluster beneath a leafy crown
- Foliage color
- Glossy medium to deep green, lance-shaped leaves arranged in whorls along the stem
- Bloom time
- Mid to late spring
- Light
- Full sun to partial sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low, plant bulbs deeply on their sides to reduce moisture collection, allow foliage to yellow naturally after bloom
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Occasional visits from bees and early-season pollinators
About this plant
Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra' produces tall, upright stems crowned with nodding, bell-shaped flowers in deep orange-red tones. The blooms form a circular ring beneath a tuft of glossy green bracts that create a distinctive, crown-like silhouette. Flowering in mid to late spring, the blossoms provide early seasonal interest, while narrow, lance-shaped leaves line the stem in evenly spaced whorls from base to tip.
Native to mountainous regions of western Asia and the Middle East, 'Rubra' functions well as a focal element in borders and mixed perennial plantings, where its vertical structure adds rhythm. It also combines effectively with spring bulbs and later-emerging perennials, allowing its bold form to remain visually prominent as the season unfolds.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Under Trees · Woodland Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Lungworts · Daylilies · Crocuses · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores
Design tip
Spring bloom is its headline moment, and it reads best in a group rather than as a single plant. Drift them in uneven groups for a natural look, and interplant with perennials that fill the gap after the leaves die back.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Roozengaarde.
