Meet the queen of fritillaries—Fritillaria imperialis ‘Rubra Maxima’, a bold and brilliant red Crown Imperial that demands full attention in any spring garden. Standing tall with a sturdy stem adorned by glossy, lance-shaped leaves, this dramatic perennial makes a striking statement alongside spring favourites like tulips and hyacinths, bringing vibrant colour and architectural elegance.

At the summit of each stem, clusters of downward-facing, bell-shaped flowers are crowned by a rosette of small leaves—giving this regal plant its iconic name, “Kaiser’s Crown.” Beyond its beauty, Rubra Maxima releases a distinct scent that naturally repels mice, moles, and other rodents, making it as practical as it is stunning.

Perfect for sunny borders or mixed beds, this demanding beauty will brighten your spring with colour and charm, while helping protect your garden from pests.

---

 

For more information on how to plant and care for your Fritillaria

Spring Flowering Bulbs are delivered in the Autumn

Delivery and P&P

Spring Flowering Bulbs are dispatched from September to November.
All orders should be dispatched within 3-5 working days during this time. (Unless otherwise stated on the Shipping est.)
Postage cost to mainland UK (excluding N.Ireland, Highlands and Isles) is £4.99.
All out of area postcodes are charged at £9.50.
Orders over £60 qualify for FREE delivery to mainland UK (excluding N.Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Highlands and Isles).
Unfortunately, we are not currently delivering to the EU. See Delivery page.
When your order is due for dispatch, you will receive a tracking email from us to track your parcel.
Your parcel will be sent on a 48 hour tracked service with Yodel.

Returns and Refunds

You have the right to cancel your order at any time before it is dispatched.
All returns must be returned at your cost within 7 days of receipt.
Payment for the returned goods will be refunded within 7 days of the goods being received by us, less the postage charges. 

How to plant Fritillaria

• Fritillaria Imperialis should be planted in the Autumn for Spring flowering.
• Find a location with full sun or partial shade with well-drained, sandy soil, if necessary add sand, grit or gravel to be improve the condition of the area for planting.
• Arrange the bulbs in an odd-number grouping.
• If planting in the garden, plant the bulbs about 10-12" apart. Space the groupings at least 3 feet apart.
• If planting in pots, plant 1 bulb in a 6-8" pot using good-quality, multi-purpose compost, preferably adding sand to the hole to prevent the bulb from rotting.
• Plant the bulbs quite deep with 6-8" of soil above them.
• It is best to plant the Crown Imperial bulb on its side, this prevents water collecting at the top of the bulb and causing it to rot.

How to care for Fritillaria

• Fritillaria Imperialis can tolerate very cold conditions but they do not like to get wet.
• If planting in borders in the garden, the soil must be well drained and, preferably, sandy.
• If planting in pots, make sure the Fritiallaria Imperialis are kept moist but do not get waterlogged.
• If planting in pots, it may be an idea to tilt the pots on their side in the winter to prevent waterlog.
• When the Fritiallaria Imperialis has finished flowering, cut any seed heads back and allow the foliage to die back naturally.
• Fritiallaria Imperialis bulbs will multiply during the first or second year of planting. Ideally, the best time to lift and check your bulbs for dividing is during the months of August and September. Once, you have divided your bulbs, they will all need replanting.
• Once the Fritiallaria Imperialis start to grow, keep a look out for Scarlet Lily Beetle. See FAQ on 'How do I get rid of Lily Beetle?'.  Prevent the Scarlet Lily beetle from ruining your Fritillarias by using our Lily Beetle Prevention spray.