View Larger Crown Imperial

Planted at Mount Vernon

Planted at Mount Vernon Upper Garden

  • Upper Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    5 5 6 6b 7 7b 8 8b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 5 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b

    This large bulb has striking orange flowers borne on long lily-like flowers in spring. It is best placed on its side when planted to prevent rotting and then left undisturbed.

    Latin Name

    Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'


    Family

    Liliaceae


    Also Known As

    Kaiser's Crown


    Type of Plant

    Bulbs Bulbs

    Bloom Season

    May

    Seasons

    Spring Spring

    Specifications

    Max height Max Height: 3'
    Max spread Max Spread: 1.5'

    Uses

  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun
    Part Sun Part Sun

    Tolerances

  • Black Walnut
  • Deer

  • Toxicity

    Do not ingest Do not ingest

    Colors


    Native Range

    Western Asia to Himalayas


    History

    William Faris, an Annapolis clock maker and gardener, records the crown imperial on his 1790s list of flowers grown in his garden.


    Other Details

    Grown by Washington Grown by Washington

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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