Fritillaria olivieri

The Fritillaria olivieri is a wild fritillary that comes from the northern part of the Zagros Mountains in western Iran, where it can be found up to 4000 meters (13123 feet) high, not far from the ephemeral streams that dry up in the summer. This species, resistant to cold and fairly easy to cultivate, offers original flowers in the middle of spring, in the form of long pendulous and retrorse bell-shaped flowers, marked with brown to red on a green background. The bulbs should be planted in the sun, in a rock garden or on a raised bed. The soil should be well-drained, moist in spring, but drier in summer.

The Fritillaria olivieri belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is a plant that comes from relatively dry mountainous environments in winter, moist in spring, and dry in summer. There is significant variation within this species, which is manifested by the existence of very rare forms, with different flowers such as Green Dreams, discovered in a culture of Persian fritillaries.

This fritillary develops from a scaly bulb measuring 3 cm (1in) in diameter, sometimes equipped with bulblets. The foliage consists of 6 to 8 green and shiny leaves, narrowly lanceolate or oblong, glaucous green in colour, arranged alternately. Flowering takes place in May-June. Each flower stem, 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) tall, carries 1 to 3 campanulate flowers, 3.5 cm (1in) long, green in colour, shaded with brown to reddish or slightly paved. The tips of the petals are curved upwards. The flowers have a sweetish fragrance. After pollination, a cylindrical and erect fruit is formed, which will release numerous flat seeds when ripe. The above-ground vegetation of the Fritillaria olivieri disappears in summer, and the plant goes into dormancy. During this time of year, the soil should be rather dry.

As unique as the Snake's Head Fritillary, and quite hardy, the lovely Fritillaria olivieri is better suited to dry locations in summer. Give it a small spot in the rock garden or in a bed that will not retain too much water, neither in winter nor in summer. This bulbous plant, which doesn't tolerate much competition, naturally pairs well with other spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips or botanical narcissus. It can also be paired with dwarf or intermediate bearded irises. Beautiful pots can also be composed with its bulbs, allowing for close-up admiration of the flowers and protection from excessive moisture in winter and summer.

Another advantage of fritillaries is that their bulbs emit an odor that repels rodents, especially moles. They will therefore protect your tulip bulbs from their attacks without bothering you; the odor is imperceptible once the bulb is planted.