Fritillaria elwesii

Fritillaria elwesii, or Elwes' fritillary, is a botanical species that is still relatively unknown and comes to us from southern Turkey. It is a charming and modest bulbous plant, with muted colours, which will make a small impact in rockeries or raised beds with well-drained soil that is dry in summer. Its spring flowering takes the form of narrow, pendulous, bell-shaped flowers in dark tones, which shimmer with golden reflections in the sun. Plant the bulbs in autumn, in the sun in cool regions or in light shade in warmer ones. This wild fritillary will delight collectors of rare plants!

Fritillaria elwesii belongs to the Liliaceae family. It is native to the eastern Mediterranean, with its natural range extending from the eastern Aegean Islands to southwestern Turkey, through Lebanon and Syria. In the wild, it is found in pine forests and scrubland up to 900m (2953ft) above sea level. It is a plant with bulbous scales. Its growth emerges from the ground from January to February, depending on the climate. It produces slender floral stems that reach 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) in height when in flower. These stems bear long, narrow, slightly curled leaves, in a random arrangement, with a green-grey colour. Flowering occurs between March and early May, depending on the climate. At the tip of each stem, one to three flowers appear, hanging towards the ground, measuring 4 to 5cm (2in) in length. Each corolla is surrounded by green sepals. The petals have olive-green and purple to aubergine stripes. Their curled tips are yellow, as are the stamens. The waxy coating that covers the corollas alters their colour depending on whether they are in shade or in light. The plant enters a dormant period in the summer in dry soil.

This Elwes' fritillary, of southern origin, is particularly suited to hot and dry climates. In the wild, it benefits from spring moisture, while enduring dry and hot summers. In winter, in its native regions, rainfall is quite rare and temperatures are mild. This prevents excessive moisture around the bulb. These conditions should be replicated in the garden or in pots in order to successfully cultivate and see it flower faithfully year after year. To accompany it, consider, for example, Greek anemones, as well as botanical tulips and botanical narcissus.