(Crown Imperial)

One of the largest and most distinctive fritillarias, crown imperial is a bulbous, spring-flowering perennial. The narrow, twisting, glossy leaves emerge in whorls in early spring and are soon followed by a thick, glossy, rapidly rising flower stalk that produces at its tip a ring of up to eight drooping bell-shaped orange flowers. Above this crown of flowers is a cluster of pointed upright leaf-like bracts, resembling a spiky crest. Native from Turkey to Kashmir and long cultivated (from the 1600s...

(Crown Imperial, Red Crown Imperial)

One of the reddest-flowered selections of this large, distinctive, spring-flowering bulb, 'Rubra' is also among the most vigorous. The narrow, twisting, glossy leaves emerge in whorls in early spring and are soon followed by a thick, glossy, rapidly rising flower stalk that produces at its tip a ring of up to eight drooping bell-shaped brick-red flowers with purple veins. Above this crown of flowers is a cluster of pointed upright leaf-like bracts, resembling a spiky crest. Native from Turkey to...

(Crown Imperial)

One of the largest and most distinctive fritillarias, crown imperial is a bulbous, spring-flowering perennial. The narrow, twisting, glossy leaves emerge in whorls in early spring and are soon followed by a thick, glossy, rapidly rising flower stalk that produces at its tip a ring of up to eight drooping bell-shaped orange flowers. Above this crown of flowers is a cluster of pointed upright leaf-like bracts, resembling a spiky crest. Native from Turkey to Kashmir and long cultivated (from the 1600s...

(Checkered Lily, Fritillary, Guinea-hen Flower)

This small bulbous perennial is nonetheless fascinating because its nodding, white or pale-pink, bell-shaped flowers are marked by small dark squares in rows and columns like a checkerboard. It blooms in early to mid-spring and soon goes dormant. The flowers hang on slender leafy stems, one or two to a stem. Native to moist meadows from Great Britain to Russia, it has been in cultivation for more than 500 years. Cultivars with pure white or darker-hued flowers are available. The flowers and the bulbs...

(White Checkered Lily, White Fritillary, White Guinea-hen Flower)

The checkered lily is an unusual flowering bulb that produces downward facing bells subtly checkered in white and silver. The nodding blooms appear on slender, sparsely leaved stems in early to mid spring. Checkered lily is native to Europe, and is among the easiest to grow of the fritillaries.

This bulb prospers in fertile, moist, humus-rich soil in sun or part shade; it tolerates occasional flooding. Plant checkered lily in groups and allow to naturalize.

(Bijou Blanketflower, Blanketflower)

The carefree perennial blanketflower ‘Bijou’ is grown for its orange-red and yellow daisies that bloom all season. Its vibrant flowers first appear from compact clumps of gray-green, hairy, lance-shaped leaves in the late spring. Blooms draw butterflies in droves and will continue to appear into the fall if plants are regularly deadheaded.

Though blanketflowers tolerate average dry soil, they thrive in fertile soil with good drainage and even moisture. They also love the heat, so plant them in...

(Blanketflower, Dakota Reveille Blanketflower)

Grown for their spring-to-fall succession of large bright daisy-like blooms, blanket flowers are clump-forming, rangy, herbaceous perennials. The cultivar 'Dakota Reveille' bears "daisies" whose rays are double rather than single-petalled, giving a pompon effect. The yellow, burgundy-throated, trumpet-shaped rays are lime-green with red tips before opening. The solitary "daisies" perch on compact burgundy stems above hairy ovate grayish-green leaves.

Grow blanketflower in well-drained average...

(Common Blanketflower)

The large dusty red daisies of ‘Burgundy Halo’ have petals that are tipped with a thin band of yellow. Like the other blanketflowers in the Sunburst series, Burgundy Halo is a compact plant that blooms continuously from spring through fall. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continued blooming and keeps the plants tidy.

Given a sunny location in average or rich soil, these perennials will thrive. Like all blanketflowers they do well in heat and will tolerate drought once established.

The...

(Common Blanketflower)

Bred for its compact habit and heavy flowering, 'Burgundy Silk' is a hardy perennial blanketflower that’s ideal for hot, sunny flower beds. Overall, it has a bushy habit and fuzzy, gray-green leaves. From spring to fall it produces many large, pastel burgundy daisies with dark centers and a silky sheen. Deadheading spent flowers encourages continued blooming and keeps the plants tidy.

This perennial will thrive given a sunny location in average soil. Like all blanketflowers it thrives in heat...

(Common Blanketflower)

With flowers colored like bulls-eyes, 'Scarlet Halo' is a striking member of the Sunburst Series. The center of the flowers and the bases of the petals are a dark red, while the ends of the petals are a vividly contrasting yellow. Smaller and more compact than most blanket flowers, it lifts its 4-inch flowers on long stems and blooms continuously from spring through fall.

Given a sunny location in good soil, these perennials are good for adding color to a bed or border. They also make good container...