Fritillaria

[McDonough]

Another view of Fritillaria eastwoodiae, on a fine sunny day, 6 years to flowers from a small bulb.

[Hoy]

Although we have lily beetles at my summerhouse and they can destroy lilies in a few days. But I would prefere lily beetles to slugs anytime!

[Hoy]

Another view of Fritillaria eastwoodiae, on a fine sunny day, 6 years to flowers from a small bulb.

This species is a nice one! I am tempted to try some of the North American species now. Maybe at my summerhouse where lily beetles and deer are the enemies and not slugs!

[Weiser]

Here is a tiny Western North American native, rarely incounter in gardens. The flowers are 1/2-3/4 of an inch (1.25cm-1.90cm)across.
Fritillaria atropurpurea

[Hoy]

Very nice, John!

[McDonough]

Here is a tiny Western North American native, rarely incounter in gardens. The flowers are 1/2-3/4 of an inch (1.25cm-1.90cm)across.
Fritillaria atropurpurea

John, an entrancing little native Frit.  After the S L O W success of F. eastwoodiae, I'm encouraged to try more native Fritillaria species.  What sort of conditions does F. atropurpurea enjoy?  Google and CalPhotos reveal that the flowers can come in a number of shades, but always with strong spotting; it also comes from a wide geographical area, which gives encouragement that the species would be hardy if tried here.

USDA plant profile
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FRAT

CalPhotos:
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Fritillaria+atropurpurea

[McDonough]

Some brooding images of Fritillaria unibracteata currently in bloom, a plant I received from my one and only order to Chen Yi years ago, and out of that order, THE ONLY plant actually correctly identified.  Based on my query on SRGC, I'm trusting Janis Ruksans' opinion that the plant is correctly identified.  http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4972.msg151417#msg151417

This species seems reliable, very slow growing, stems to about 6-8" tall, enjoying life at the base of a shrub, thus mostly shaded.  The situation tends to be very dry in summer.

[Lori S.]

Another view of Fritillaria eastwoodiae, on a fine sunny day, 6 years to flowers from a small bulb.

6 years?!?  Yikes, not for those who like instant gratification!  Alas, such a pretty thing though... (that I will therefore never see in my own garden.  )

Another very interesting little frit, John.

F. unibracteata - what a colour!  After your drought, it seems it must be very tolerant of dry conditions indeed.

Representing the other end of the scale in fritillaria culture...  
Tonight, I discovered one little F. michailovskyii that somehow survived from many years ago.  Thhey seemed to have died out, when I built a new bed and changed the drainage (or at least I thought that was why  ).

[Weiser]

[What sort of conditions does F. atropurpurea enjoy? 

Mark I find it growing on the dry north facing steep slopes at lower elevations of 4,000'-6,000'. Higher up 6,000'-9,000' it can be found in sunny sights on gental slopes of clay or loam, with east or west exposures. The Key seems to be fine mineral soils that are venally moist but dry during summer dormancy. I think the lower elevation populations occur on the north slopes because they retain moisture for a longer period.

[Lori S.]

Some easy ones... 
Fritillaria pallidiflora:


Fritillaria meleagris 'Alba', a twin!

[Lori S.]

Fritillaria camschatcensis - one is finally in bloom several eons after the bulbs were planted...
 

And whatever this is... F. pontica maybe, or what passes for it in the horticultural trade??  It has been identified as F. acmopetala, thanks to Maggi and Ian!  http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7492.msg205856;boardseen#new


Does this mean my fritillaria jinx is over... ?  

[RickR]

Does this mean my fritillaria jinx is over... ?   

I'd say so, Lori.  Especially since the two you have need different care.  Your "whatever it is" one is especially nice!  My last F. camschatcensis finished blooming last week.