California Native Bulbs

Fritillaria

Fritillarias are found throughout California in a variety of habitats, from alpine conditions to coastal bluffs.  Not surprisingly, therefore, they need vastly different growing conditions, but I can also state from my own experience, that of all the California bulbs they are the most challenging (read, difficult) species in cultivation.

I will start with the most desirable species, since these are the ones I get the most requests for.  Fritillaria recurva, seen to the left, is very unusual for its brilliant coloration.  In fact, it is the only scarlet fritillary found anywhere in the world.  It is checkered in gold, and there is a subspecies called F. r. ssp. gentneri, with larger flowers.  It grows in the Sierra Nevada at mid elevation, and also in the Coast Ranges and in southern Oregon, usually being found growing on banks in the shade of mixed oak and conifer forests. 

Fritillaria pluriflora, seen in habitat above in Bear Valley, California, grows in dense clay that is extremely wet in winter, drying to a consistency like cement in summer.  Again, the color is very rare, although not unique, since there are one or two other species found in other parts of the world that are pink.

Fritillaria striata is less well known, but equally lovely, with white to pink flowers with purple striations on the petals.  It is very strongly scented, and is native to the Greenhorn Mountains of southern California.  It is seen here to the right.

The more common species include F. biflora, which is also one of the easier Fritillarias in cultivation, and given the right conditions, can even be grown in the garden.  It is seen here to the left. 

F. affinis is extremely variable, coming in forms that are yellowish, green or brown, some with checkering to the petals, some without.  Below is F. affinis v. tristulis, from the San Francisco Bay region.  The flowers are large, and are held on short six inch stems.  It is seen here below to the right.

 There are several alpine species, which are usually of short stature.  They generally grow in scree, and are not the easiest species.  Seen to the left is F. glauca.  F. purdyi can grow in close proximity to F. glauca, growing on the flatter areas, while F. glauca prefers steeper slopes.  It is seen here below.

 

I don't normally recommend Fritillarias for gardens, nor for those with no experience growing them, since they are difficult, and need specific growing conditions, but we all need to start somewhere, so to get going F. biflora would be a good one to try, followed by F. affinis.  For an alpine house, F. purdyi, F. pudica (not shown) and F. glauca. 

Comments

[Laura Eisener]

These Fritillarias are lovely - have been planning to try Fritillaria recurva in a Massachusetts (Zone 6) garden, but have not heard of anyone else trying them here.

Have you heard of a bulb called Romazoffia tracyi? I read a brief description today, but can find no photos or further info. on the internet - supposedly a west coast US native, blooming March to May, but google searches turn up nothing by that name or anything similar.

[chuck b.]

I failed with F. biflora. And that South African species you find in nurseries sometimes, too. Oh, well.

I saw a large Fritillary inflorescence of some kind on the ridge overlooking Duxbury Reef in Bolinas last March. I'm not sure what it was but it must have been at least 2 feet tall.