January 31, 2025, 4:41 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
The imperial crown is one of the most impressive spring bloomers in the garden. With its height of up to 55 inches and its bright, bell-shaped flowers in orange, yellow, or red, it attracts everyone’s attention. Its scent is not to everyone’s taste and is often compared to that of a lion’s cage. The perennial bulbous plant is undemanding if planted in the right location and can provide great accents in the garden for decades.
The imperial crown (Fritillaria imperialis) belongs to the lily family (Liliaceae) and is native to western Asia and the Himalayas. It was cultivated as an ornamental plant in Europe as early as the 16th century. It is characterized by its imposing stems, which bear up to eight flowers and are crowned by a tuft of leaves. Due to its long life and special flower shape, the plant has been prized for centuries and is often planted in cottage gardens.
Overview
Planting the Imperial Crown
The imperial crown bulbs are planted in late summer to early fall (August to September). The planting depth is around 8 to 12 inches, and the distance between the bulbs should be at least 16 inches.
Location and Soil
The imperial crown prefers sunny to semi-shady locations. While full sun at midday can accelerate the fading of the flowers in darker varieties, it does not harm the plant. The soil should be well-drained and nutritious, as waterlogging can quickly damage the bulbs. For sandy soils, enrichment with humus is recommended, while heavy soils should be loosened with sand or gravel.
Appearance and Growth
The imperial crown reaches a height of up to 140 centimeters. Its sturdy, unbranched stem has lanceolate leaves on the lower half. In spring (April to May), eye-catching, bell-shaped flowers in orange, yellow, or red form at the top, crowned by a leafy cluster. The bulbs exude an intense odor that is described as animal or garlic-like. It is said to repel voles, but there are no studies to prove this.
Varieties
The imperial crown offers a large number of varieties that differ in growth height, flower color, and frost sensitivity:
- ‘Lutea Maxima’: Op to 100 cm tall, bright yellow flowers and intense fragrance.
- ‘Rubra Maxima’: Orange-red flowers, 100 cm high, slightly sensitive to late frost.
- ‘Aurora’: A more compact variety with a height of 60 cm and orange flowers.
- ‘Garland Star’: 120 cm high, eye-catching flower stems in brown-black with orange flowers.
- ‘Argenteovariegata’: White-edged leaves, red flowers, up to 70 cm high.
There are also related species, such as the checkerboard flower (Fritillaria meleagris) or the dwarf imperial crown (Fritillaria raddeana).

Caring for the Imperial Crown
The imperial crown is easy to care for and suitable for beginners. All it needs is a suitable location and regular attention during the growth phase.
Watering
During the growth phase in spring, the soil should be kept evenly moist, but waterlogging should be avoided at all costs. During dry periods, water directly at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the leaves.
How to Fertilize the Plant
Long-term fertilization in spring with organic fertilizer or compost promotes growth. After flowering, a liquid rose fertilizer can provide additional nutrients. On nutrient-poor soils, a nitrogenous fertilizer is recommended in spring and after flowering.
Does the Imperial Crown Need Pruning?
The foliage of the imperial crown should only be cut off when it has completely yellowed, as the plant stores nutrients for the winter. Withered flowers, on the other hand, can be removed promptly.
Winter Hardiness
The imperial crown is hardy to around -29 °F, depending on the variety. In harsh regions, a layer of foliage can be helpful as frost protection. For tub plants, the container should be wrapped in fleece and placed in a sheltered spot.
Propagation
Propagation takes place via daughter bulbs, which are separated from the mother bulb in late summer and planted separately. Seed propagation is possible but time-consuming, as the plants only flower after several years.
Diseases and Pests
- Lily weevils: Red beetles that feed on leaves; larvae are rather inconspicuous as they cover themselves with a protective layer of excrement. Collect or encourage natural enemies such as birds.
- Bulb rot: Avoid through good drainage and moderate watering.
- Grey mold (Botrytis): Can be recognized by a gray-brown, rather furry coating on flowers, stems, and leaves. Remove affected plant parts and ventilate well.
Toxicity
The imperial crown is poisonous in all parts of the plant, especially in the bulb. Ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular problems, and, in the worst case, death. It is important to wear gloves when handling the plant.
Alternatives
Alternatives include
- Checkerboard flower (Fritillaria meleagris): Smaller species with purple and white patterned flowers.
- Persian imperial crown (Fritillaria persica): Purple-brown flowers without a leaf cap.
- Dwarf imperial crown (Fritillaria raddeana): Yellow-flowered, frost-sensitive species.


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Bee-Friendliness
The imperial crown is considered bee-friendly as it can be approached as early as March. However, the amount of pollen is rather moderate.