The Radde's fritillary is a close relative of the imperial crown. No wonder it is often mistaken for it as it develops a very similar growth form. The lower growing Radde's fritillary belongs to relatively rare plants. It naturally grows in mountains and lowlands of the Middle East. It is grown as ornamental plant in several European countries. The erect Radde's fritillary grows sixty to eighty centimetres tall. Lanceolate leaves cover the stem up to a half of its height, leaving the upper half naked. A whorl of bell-shaped, rather large, flowers that grow face down, develops at the top of the stem. Above them, a lovely tuft of short, narrow, upright leaves appears above them like a plume. The colour of the Radde's fritillary flowers is usually described as pale green. A bunch of delicate stamens and a central pistil protrude from each flower. Expect an intriguing flowering show in April and May.

Fritillaries require a sunny, warm, and sheltered place to develop well. They thrive in humous, well-drained, moderately moist, and nutrient-rich soil. Plant fritillary bulbs in September, about twenty centimetres deep. Cover the site with a layer of peat or sawdust before the winter. We recommend placing bulbs in the holes at an angle, so that water does not fill the stem cavity. Fritillary bulbs excrete a rather intense, characteristic, unpleasant smell that repels moles, voles, and mice.

Quoted price is valid for one bulb of the Radde's fritillary, sized 16+ centimetres in diameter. Basic plant facts and growing instructions can be found on the package label.

• Use: ornamental - garden
• Growth form: erect
• Flower colour: creamy-green
• Vegetation form: perennial
• Foliage: lanceolate
• Flower type: bell-shaped, gathered in tall conical spikes
• Site: sunny, warm, sheltered; humous, permeable, moderately moist, fertile soil
• Bulb size (circumference):: 16+ cm
• Bulbs: 1
• Height: 60 to 80 cm
• Flowering period: April to May
• Planting period: September
• Planting depth (cm): 20 cm
• Wintering in the ground: yes