Fritillaria persica
Persian lily
A spring flowering, robust, bulbous perennial. Lance-shaped leaves are produced on upright stems, up to 25cm long, coloured glaucous to grey-green. Up to 30 pendant, narrow bell-shaped flowers, brown to deep-purple in colour, held in racemes appear in the spring
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Brown Purple | Grey Silver Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver Green | |||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs, not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Fritillaria are bulbous herbaceous perennials with lance-shaped or linear leaves and nodding bell-shaped or bowl-shaped flowers that may be solitary or in racemes or umbels
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Turkey to Iran Israel
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Will tolerate hotter sites than other Fritillaria
Propagation
Propagate by dividing offsets late summer. Seeds require a cold period before germination, sow seeds in containers in a cold frame
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and lily beetle
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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