Frittilaria meleagris has to be one of my favorite flowers. They rise up from the ground in the spring looking like little snakes which, I suppose, is how they have gotten the name, Snake's head fritillary. I love their unusual checkerboard pattern. Even their bulbs are interesting. I have done drawings of both the flower and bulbs which are shown here. This spring I hope to combine flowers and bulbs into a single drawing.
I have been experimenting with different planting sites in my gardens - so much a part of the gardener's life - to find where these little beauties will thrive. After several years I think I've found they are the happiest in the herb garden outside my door where I will move most of the bulbs in the fall. A perfect setting I think as they greet me each time I go out on chilly spring mornings.
