Fritillaria meleagris mix

The “snake’s head” (Fritillaria meleagris) grows a 30 cm tall stem with a beautiful, purple spotted clock-shaped flower that elegantly bows its head down, like a tiny lamp post. The name fritillaria comes from the chequered pattern on the flowers (Lat. Fritillus = dice box). In the Netherlands it is hard to find the “snake’s head” in the wild. You might have a chance to spot it in the east side of the country, around Vechtdal and Zwolle. As a field flower, the “snake’s head” can only be seen in Sweden, especially, at the Kungsängen which is a little south of Upssala.

The folk tale says – there has been a battle on that field, Sweden versus Denmark. Sweden had won. After the battle, Fritillaria meleagris started growing on that field. A red Fritillaria - for every fallen Danish man, and a white one - for every fallen Swedish man. This would explain why there are more purplish-red flowers than white ones on the field. Purplish-red Fritillaria meleagris are more common in the wild than white Fritillaria meleagris. 

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba’ is the white snake’s head, which used to be researched and bred, but with little success. It blooms in April-May and naturalises on its own. It does not require any special care.