-
Spring Planting
Order now for best selections.
- Fall Planting
-
Bulk Flower Bulbs
Big savings on bulk orders!
- New
-
Gardening Resources
Flower Bulbs & Perennials at Wholesale Prices
Fritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown)
Fritillaria Imperialis Rubra (Red Crown)
Fritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown)
Clusters of fiery red, bell-shaped flowers opening atop 3-4' flower spikes make a statement in the mid spring garden. The flowers hang below a tuft of foliage, creating an exotic look. Fritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown), also called crown imperial, emits an odor that deer and squirrels don't like. The flowers attract pollinators. Frillaria imperialis grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. For an impressive look, plant in clumps in the back border. It can also be planted in containers.
- Hardiness Zones 4-8
- Mature Height 36 - 48 inches
- Bloom Time Mid spring (April)
- Light Requirements Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade
- Ship As20-22 CM Bulb
- Deer Resistant
- Container Friendly
- Attracts Pollinators
We ship this item in Fall
Botanical Name: Fritillaria imperialis rubra
3/bag(s) Buy More and Save!
- #Bags
- $/bag
- $/bulb
- Save
- 1
- $20.00
- $6.67
- 4 or more
- $16.00
- $5.33
- Save 20%
- 16 or more
- $13.13
- $4.38
- Save 34%
* Your final payment amount will be calculated at the time of checkout.
Product Details
-
Restricted States US:
AE AK GU HI PR VI -
Botanical Name:
Fritillaria imperialis rubra -
Ship As:
Bulb -
Size:
20-22 CM -
Suggested Uses:
Borders, Container Gardening, Perennializing, Showy Flowers, Deer Resistant, Attract Pollinator
-
Flower Color:
Red, Orange -
Flower Form:
Large, 3-4" bell-shaped flowers in clusters hang below a tuft of foliage. -
Foliage Type:
Leaves at the base of the stem are either in whorls or alternate, upper part of stem is bare except for tuft at top above flowers. -
Mature Spread:
10 - 12 inches -
Spacing:
10 - 12 inches
Growing Tips
-
Planting Instructions:
6-8" deep and 10-12" apart -
Soil Moisture:
Well drained -
Will Tolerate:
Acidic Soil, Clay Soil, Loamy Soil, Sandy Soil -
Pruning Instructions:
Let foliage die down naturally. Leaves provide nourishment for the bulbs to produce future growth and blooming.
-
Winter Care:
Mulch +/- 2" Planting Depth:
6-8" deepWatering Requirements:
Average water needs. Water regularly, do not overwaterFertilization Requirements:
Once per yearSpecial Care:
Not needed
Plant Calculator
Shipping Information
K. van Bourgondien times its shipments from Holland so that bulbs and bareroots arrive at the proper planting time (depending on climatic conditions) for each area of North America.
We take advanced orders, and as the crops are harvested, our staff of K. van Bourgondien experts makes an on-the-spot selection of the finest bulbs available to fill those reservations.
We will pack and ship your order based on the following schedules. The type of product you order or the weather may affect the anticipated shipping schedule.
Please note that we cannot ship outside of the 48
contiguous states.
What zone am I in?
Fall 2025 Shipping Schedule
-
Dormant Bulbs and Perennials Zones Shipping Dates Last Order Date 3A - 6B 9/1/25 - 12/5/25 12/1/2025 7A - 11B 9/22/25 - 12/5/25 12/1/2025
Shipping Notes:
In all cases, we choose the fastest, most efficient way to send your
orders via USPS or FedEx.
Orders for gift certificates will be shipped immediately.Due to hot weather conditions, we are unable to ship any plant items from late June through August. General merchandise will be shipped with your plant order.
Upon placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation with the details of your order and a shipping estimate. You will also receive an email notification when your order actually ships with an updated arrival estimate. If you have ordered multiple items, you may receive them in more than one shipment. We will send you a separate email confirming each shipment. Large orders may be shipped in more than one package. Your order confirmation will have an estimated shipping time.
You may check your order status at any time on this website using your email or account number provided on your order confirmation.
Customer Reviews
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Ratings Distribution
Best Uses
Describe Yourself
Reviewed by 4 customers
Only 3 out of 5 came up but died a few weeks later
I meticulously planted the bulbs in the fall 2022. I dug a deep trench in; my back yard that gets morning sun, put down a few inches of stones with 3" of sand on top to give good drainage. I mixed 1/2 soil with 1/4 compost and 1/4 grit, put about 8" of the mix in the hole, and placed the bulbs 12" down and 18" apart slightly tilted so that water wouldn't gather in the hole, and filled the hole with the soil mixture. Three of the bulbs started to come up. One grew to about 15" and 2 bulbs grew to about 10". The other 2 didn't come up at all. The northeast had a very rainy April, almost every day, and I think the Fritillaria didn't like all that rain even though there was good drainage. It was very disappointing. I had planted them right outside my dining room windows so that I could see the flowers when sitting at my table (low windows).
Merchant Response
Thank you for taking the time to review the Fritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown). We are truly sorry to hear that some of the bulbs failed to grow. This is covered under our No-Risk Guarantee. One of our Customer Care representatives will be reaching out to you soon with a positive resolution.
very Dr Seuss
Everyone who sees these asks where we got them. Every bulb produced great flowers in the first year
Special garden focal point
Very dramatic and unusual plant. Looks like an orange "punk" haircut. Works well in a grouping of 6 or 8. Long lasting bloom. About 2/3 of bulbs flower. Doesn't require staking. Underplant with other bulbs. Recommended.
Looking forward to spring
Verified Buyer
Bulbs looked great and were actually sent sooner than I thought they would. They were in transit for nine days and sent back and forth in a weird way to get to us. This upset us a bit, but they made the travel quite well. Hopefully they will bloom in spring, if so, we will probably order from you again. Thanks.
Questions & Answers
Q&A
Showing 9 out of 9 Questions
- Q
What does it look like after the bloom dies and what can I plant with this plant. It will be in full sun a triagle corner near sidewalk and driveway.
- Asked by Pam
- Verified Reply - AngelaFritillaria imperialis rubra foliage will die back by early summer. Once the foliage has turned brown/yellow, you can cut it back to the ground. Other spring bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths are good companions. You might consider Daylilies in front as they will bloom later and fill in the space.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Hi, interested in Crown Imperials. Do all of them produce the famous smell. Or is it only the red ones? I want the smelliest ones. Thank you.
- Asked by Christopher
- Verified Reply - ViciAll of the Crown Imperials have that famous smell. You will be sure to notice it when you open your package of bulbs.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How safe is it to dig and transplant frillarias once they are blooming.
- Asked by Carole
- Verified Reply - AngelaYou won't want to transplant the Fritillaria while blooming. It's best to move them in the fall.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
I've never seen bulbs like the Fritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown). One side of the bulb has a hole and the other side looks like where the roots are on an onion. Does the hole get planted face up or the other side?
- Asked by Denise
- Verified Reply - AngelaYou are absolutely correct. The side with the hole is where the stem grows. It should be planted facing up.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
I have clay soil. Since Fritillaria imperialis rubra like well draining soil, should I mix small stones/pebbles in the soil along with compost or are stones/pebbles not a good idea?
- Asked by Denise
- Verified Reply - AngelaI know a lavender farmer who successfully grows lavender in sticky soil with pea gravel at the bottom of every hole. Lavender also requires sharp draining soil. I would put the gravel at the bottom rather than mixing. Also, try hilling up the soil a little to help.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
How many are in the bag?
- Asked by Michelle
- Verified Reply - AngelaThe Frittillaria imperialis rubra offer includes 3 bulbs per bag.Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
Is this the same plant as Fritillaria imperialis rubra MAXIMA? Thanks
- Asked by CD
- Verified Reply - AngelaThey appear to be the same plant. Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
I have three fritillaries in my garden and the blooms seem to be drying up before the flower blooms, is this normal.
- Asked by Lee
- Verified Reply - AngelaIt's not typical for the flower blooms to dry up rather open. If you had a wet cold spring, this could be the cause. There isn't really anything you can do about the weather. Over watering is a very common issue with Fritillaria. Was this answer helpful to you
- Q
What zone is it good for? Is it a perennial or annual? Thanks.
- Asked by Raquel
- Verified Reply - KimberlyFritillaria imperialis rubra (Red Crown) grows in zones 4-8, it is a perennial.Was this answer helpful to you
RECEIVE OUR CATALOG
Get the latest catalog and updates about spring bulbs and gardening.
Sign up for emails
You'll get the latest deals and gardening tips from K. van Bourgondien.-
- Pledge of Quality: Opens a dialogOur Guarantee
-
Order Phone:1-800-552-9996
Wholesale Professional Phone: 513-354-1500
About K.Van Bourgondien
Follow Us Online
Copyright © 2025 Gardens Alive!, Inc. d/b/a Dutchbulbs.com. All Rights Reserved. Dutchbulbs.com trademarks are registered trademarks of Gardens Alive!, Inc.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and Terms apply.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and Terms apply.
Item added to cart
