Crown imperial is a plant that fully deserves its name. The William Rex is a variety that produces wonderfully coloured petals. The fiery orange-red shade and the unique shape of the plant are two features that give it an exotic flair.

The impressive plants that grow from large bulbs prefer sunny situations. You can also plant them on sites lit with dispersed light, such as the vicinity of thin trees. The flowering period falls on the end of April and beginning of May. The sturdy stems surrounded by a wreath of lanceolate leaves carry whorls consisting of 6 to 12 bell shaped, downward facing flowers. An impressive fan of sepals towers over them.

The impressive bulbs of the crown imperial require a permeable, humous and deeply cultivated soil. They do not have special water requirements and can be watered infrequently. Plant them rather deep, so the tips are about 20 cm below the soil surface. Start the planting at the end of August and continue until the end of September. Cover the plantings with conifer twigs and dried leaves for the winter. The bulbs do not need to be excavated after each and every season.

The William Rex is a reliable, seasonal decoration of a flower bed or a perennial grouping among lower growing plants. It looks great on the lawns. The rows of crown imperial plants look great when planted alongside building walls and fences.

The price quoted here is valid for 10 bulbs of the William Rex crown imperial, sized 20 to 24 cm in circumference.

• Variety: William Rex
• Use: ornamental
• Growth form: erect
• Flower colour: orange-red
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: lanceolate
• Flower type: bell-shaped
• Site: sunny or partial shade; permeable, humous and deeply cultivated soil
• Bulbs: 10
• Flowering period: April - May
• Planting period: August - September
• Planting depth (cm): 20 cm
• Wintering in the ground?: Yes