Fritillaria 2010

[wolfgang vorig]

Fritillaria meleagris today

[Maggi Young]

Fritillaria meleagris today

Beautiful clumps pf these plants, Wolfgang.
As Ian says in this week's Bulb Log, there really isn't a better frit !

[Anthony Darby]

I'm beginning to think I'll need more than the nine lives allocated to cats so I can devote one to each group of plants or animal that has become my very latest favourite. I didn't know there were so many species! Here's a link to the latest bulb log full of them. http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2010Apr281272458633BULB_LOG__1710.pdf

[Regelian]

Anthony,

yup, some really amazing Frits in Ian and Maggies Eden.

A question on you all, as I have just finsished a samll rockery for my arils, which means it is almost 12" of gravel and a touch of loam on a sandy clay base.  Tendence alkaline, as I added calcium.  Which Frits would feel at home in this type of bed?  As I fail with many in the garden, I have always though my heavy soil was the problem.  Now's my chance to make a new attempt.  Suggestions, please.

Jamie

[Gerry Webster]

A question on you all, as I have just finsished a samll rockery for my arils, which means it is almost 12" of gravel and a touch of loam on a sandy clay base.  Tendence alkaline, as I added calcium.  Which Frits would feel at home in this type of bed?  As I fail with many in the garden, I have always though my heavy soil was the problem.  Now's my chance to make a new attempt.  Suggestions, please.
Jamie

I would start with F. meleagris which is cheap. Most other frits are expensive to very expensive so after that I would proceed with caution. Raising from seed is cheap but takes about 5 years. Some people (not me) find  F. acmopetala succeeds outside  & I found F. pyrenaica did reasonably well. However, even in a raised bed with gritty soil while some other frits survived for a time they eventually died out. It may be a good idea to plant some sort of shrub or tree which will keep the bed dry in summer.

[Regelian]

Gerry, et al,

I do have F. meleagris in the garden, where it does seed about in the moister areas.  I doubt it would relish the extreme dryness of the aril bed, but I will sprinkle some seed about and see.

At this point, I am thinking on moving my F. persicum to this bed, as they are no longer getting enough sun where they are, against a garden wall, and rearely bloom well.

What about F. whittalii, F. bithynica,or F. grandiflora?  I have some seed of some spanish Frits, which I plan to add to the bed, as well. 

[Gerry Webster]

Gerry, et al,
What about F. whittalii, F. bithynica,or F. grandiflora? 

Jamie - I've never tried these outside  &, at £3-5 per bulb, wouldn't risk it. However, it's up to you.

[Maggi Young]

What about F. whittalii, F. bithynica,or F. grandiflora?

We have these growing unprotected in pots sitting in an open frame and they are doing well... the plan now is to get them planted direct in the garden. They are seed raised, for the most part.

[Gerry Webster]

What about F. whittalii, F. bithynica,or F. grandiflora?

We have these growing unprotected in pots sitting in an open frame and they are doing well... the plan now is to get them planted direct in the garden. They are seed raised, for the most part.

I have the first two growing in a similar fashion. But, based on previous experience, I have no plans to plant them out in the garden. However, I think it impossible to generalise; everyone's conditions are different.

[Maggi Young]

You're right, Gerry, there is a difference between a pot in an open frame and the open garden.... but as these are seedraised  we hope they are already predisposed to life in Aberdeen in all its glory and will enjoy their freedom!

[Armin]

Fritillaria meleagris today

Wolfgang,
nice fat clumps of 'Schachbrettblumen'. You seem to have no problems with Lily Beetles.

[Ragged Robin]

Everything that you grow in your garden seems to grow so well, Wolfgang, I love the groups of F meleagris - both normal and the white and your groups show them off so well - do you have a magic potion? 

[Ragged Robin]

First time I have grown this Fritillaria and I love the graceful growth habit and bell/ bells as some stems have two flowers.

[wolfgang vorig]

Thank you all for the interest

Many greetings, Wolfgang

F. purdyi Martha Roderick

[wolfgang vorig]

F. grandiflora and F. vertilcilliata today