Chess flower Fritillaria meleagris

The Fritillaria meleagris is a perennial bulb that performs best when grown in dappled sunlight conditions.  Its showy, dainty flowers are 2" long bell-shaped blossoms.  The flowers are typically solitary but may be accompanied by one or more blooms.  Beautiful petals of veined and checkered red-brown, purple, white and gray are situated atop slender stems.  You may want is situate this plant near the front of your border or bed.  Its small stature and dark coloring are difficult to appreciate from a distance.

Plant your bulbs in the early fall and keep moist even when dormant.  Placing the bulbs on their sides will help to prevent water from pooling in the hollow crowns, thereby preventing the bulbs from rotting.

It is typically not found in the wild but grown as a garden flower.

The mottled flower color has a strong similarity to the color of a guinea hen, giving the plant one of its common names.

It should be planted in an area that retains moisture throughout the year.

Allow the foliage to die back naturally as the bulbs go dormant, typically by late spring.

Its native habitat is the grassy flood plains and meadows of Europe.

When pollinated, the stems straighten, allowing the seed pods held upright.  The pod contains 6 stacks of dark-colored, flat, triangular seeds.  This plant will multiply by self seeding, but is not considered invasive.  

No longer found in the wild, this is a popular garden bulb.  Its slender form allows it to be planted in beds with other perennials or annuals.  After it blooms and dies back, it will not leave large gaps in the bed that need to be filled.  

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  No known issues.