Fritillaria imperialis, on its common name Crown Imperial or Kaiser's Crown is one of the earliest plants to be cultivated for its red, yellow or orange-red flowers that appear in mid to late spring and last for 2-3 weeks. Plant them in clumps for maximum effect, in beds or woodland gardens. It grows to about 1 m in height, and bears lance shaped, glossy leaves, at intervals along the stem. It bears a prominent whorl of downward facing flowers at the top of the stem, topped by a 'crown' of small leaves. The pendulous flowers make a bold statement in the late spring garden.

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