Fritillaria imperialis Maxima Lutea (Crown Imperial)

Award-winner Fritillaria imperialis ‘Maxima Lutea’ is a most impressive bulbous herbaceous perennial with its beautiful display of yellow pendant, bell-shaped flowers topped by a crown of small leaves and rising high at the end of an upright stem bearing lance-shaped, glossy leaves.

Award-winner Fritillaria imperialis 'Maxima Lutea' is a most impressive bulbous herbaceous perennial with its beautiful display of yellow pendant, bell-shaped flowers topped by a crown of small leaves and rising high at the end of an upright stem bearing lance-shaped, glossy leaves.

  • Growing up to 40-44 inches tall (100-110 cm), 'Maxima Lutea' was granted the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in 1993 and has been quite popular since its introduction 400 years ago!
  • Blooming occurs in mid to late spring and lasts for 2-3 weeks.
  • Specimens that receive what they need often continue to flower year after year in the same location.
  • Plant in fall in a full sun or partial shade area (some shade is particularly important in warmer climate zones) with moderately fertile, sandy and moist but well-drained soil for best results. The soil must drain quickly and thoroughly; heavy soil will definitely need the addition of extra sand. Water only once every 1-2 weeks and keep the soil dry for a few days before watering again. This will prevent the bulbs from rotting.
  • Spectacular in groupings of 6-12 bulbs (at the back of the border). Mixes beautifully with other flowering bulbs such as the elegant lily-flowered Tulip 'Ballerina' with its luminous tangerine orange reflexed petals, Muscari armeniacum (Grape hyacinth) with its cobalt-blue flowers or 'Narcissus 'Mount Hood' or 'King Alfred', two very fragrant daffodils that will show off the pendant golden flowers of this 'Maxima Lutea' to perfection!
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • The flowers have a distinctive musk-like odor and contain large drops of nectar.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 8

Heat Zones 4
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
Plant Type Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Fritillaria
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)
Height 3'
– 4'
(90cm
– 120cm)
Spread 7"
– 8"
(17cm
– 20cm)
Spacing 8″ (20cm)
Depth 8"
(20cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit
Garden Uses Beds and Borders
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden