Fritillaria imperialis
SKU:
CA$0.00
per item
Common name: crown imperial, imperial fritillary or Kaiser's crown
Fritillaria imperialis, one of the oldest known cultivated plants from Persia and India, is often seen in old Dutch paintings with its tufted crown of leaves. Legend has it that it once had upward facing white flowers, but in the Garden of Gethsemane, when other plants hung their heads in humility as Christ passed by, this plant was too proud to do so. God rebuked it, whereupon it blushed red, hung its head and tears came, which can be seen today as nectaries. It also can have yellow flowers.
For more information, see Garden Story.
Sideview photos of blooms taken by Diane Lake in the Garden. Other photos also from the Garden.