Red Crown Imperial Lily (Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima')
Red Crown Imperial Lily (Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima'), Hardy, spring-flowering bulb Description: Large, dramatic, bell-shaped, deep orange-scarlet flowers; whorls of lance-shaped, light green leaves Habit: Flowering stalk to 3 feet Culture: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; plant 6 to 8 inches deep. In heavy soils, angle bulb slightly to prevent bulb rot Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 through 9. Origin: Turkey, Kashmir Attributes: Deer resistant Jefferson documented 1 bulb per bag. The Crown Imperial Lily was brought to Western Europe from Southern Turkey and Kashmir as early as 1576. By 1770 Dutch bulb growers had developed 13 distinct varieties. Thomas Jefferson ordered this lily from Philadelphia nurseryman Bernard McMahon five times before receiving three "roots" of the orange and a rare "silver striped" form in 1812. It is also called "Stink Lily" and "Old Stinky," because of its foxy odor. zone5,zone6,zone7,zone8,zone9