Fritillaria persica Purple Dynamite

The Fritillaria persica 'Purple Dynamite' is a superb new form of the Persian Fritillary that stands out for its very shiny flowers and foliage. This variety produces tall flowering stems in early spring, adorned with bell-shaped flowers of a dark violet colour, fragrant and long-lasting. The stems, adorned with beautiful bluish-toned shiny foliage, are very ornamental even outside of the flowering period. Originating from the mountains of Persia, this bulbous plant adapts quite easily to our gardens if care is taken to plant it in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Majestic and elegant, it deserves a prominent place in a rock garden or a raised bed.

The Fritillaria persica belongs to the Lily family. It is native to an area ranging from Jordan to Iran and is widely found in Western Asia. It is a plant that thrives in relatively dry montane environments during winter, where it can be found growing in rock gardens as well as along paths or fields, between 500 and 1200 meters (1640 and 3937 feet) above sea level, often on limestone soil. There is significant variation within this species, characterized by the existence of very rare forms with very dark or almost green flowers. The cultivar 'Purple Dynamite', with its very dark violet flowers, is a novelty with a unique aesthetic. It develops from a large bulb measuring up to 8 cm (3in) in diameter, which is sensitive to winter humidity. The buds emerge vigorously from the ground in February-March and quickly elongate to form tall stems reaching a height of 90 cm (35in) at the time of flowering in April-May. Each stem is adorned with entire, short lanceolate leaves, regularly arranged and spiraled, up to a height of 40 cm (16in). They are shiny medium green in colour. Each stem terminates in a spike over 30 cm (12in) long, bearing 15 to 20 large trailing bell-shaped flowers. They are a dark violet colour, almost black, and very shiny. Their fragrance attracts pollinating insects. After pollination, a cylindrical and upright fruit forms, which will release numerous flat seeds when ripe. The above-ground vegetation of the Persian Fritillary disappears in summer, as the plant enters a dormant phase. During this period, the soil should be relatively dry, just like in winter.

As spectacular as the Crown Imperial, which is better known, the majestic Persian Fritillary surpasses it in elegance. Give it a prominent place in a rock garden or a bed with soil that does not retain water, neither in winter nor in summer. This sumptuous variety 'Purple Dynamite', naturally pairs well with the Ivory Bells form with pale flowers. It can also be paired with Blue Glacier Spurge, silver artemisias, garden irises, or shrubby salvias, which will somewhat mask its absence in summer and winter. The Persian Fritillary adds verticality to tulip beds, just like the Foxtail Lilies.

Another advantage is that fritillary 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.