Crown Imperial Flower Bulbs

The crown imperial, sometimes called Kaiser’s crown, is in the genus Fritillaria, and the family liliaceae. The plant is native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Himalayan foothills.  Crown imperials were growing in the Netherlands by the sixteenth century.

The leaves on the crown imperial grow in two places.  They begin a little ways above the soil, and continue until they are about half way up the stem.  At the top of the stem is where the flowers are located. Then above the crown imperials flowers are a second set of smaller leaves that spread up and outward. This second set of leaves above the flowers is probably where the crown imperial gets its name. 

Several flowers will open with the blooms facing downward around top of the flower bulbs stem.  The crown imperial is available in shades of yellow, orange and red.  After blooming when the leaves become dry, cut the stem off just above soil.

The crown imperial will reach it height from about thirty-two to forty inches tall.  The flower bulbs are planted about eight in deep in soil that has good drainage. They like full sun or full sun that gives away to partial sun in the evenings.  They will usually begin to bloom in late April or May.  The blooms will last about three weeks.

Crown imperial bulbs have an indent in the top of them.  For this reason, it is best to plant the flower bulb sideways to prevent it from capturing and holding water that will cause it to rot.  Crown imperial flower bulbs are sold and planted in the fall.  They are usually left in the ground year round.  Crown imperials are most often planted in borders or containers.  Their odor will distract mice, moles, deer, rabbits, and squirrels.  They will grow in zones three through eight.