Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba (White-flowered snake's head fritillary)

Botanical name

Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba

Other names

White-flowered snake's head fritillary, Fritillaria meleagris 'Alba'

Genus

Fritillaria Fritillaria

Species

F. meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba - F. meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba is a bulbous perennial with narrow grey-green leaves. In spring it bears solitary or paired, nodding, bell-shaped, white flowers.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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Colour

Flower

White in Spring

Foliage

Silvery-grey, Green in Spring; Silvery-grey, Green in Summer

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Lily beetle (Scarlet) , Slugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Propagation methods

Division, Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba (White-flowered snake's head fritillary) will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Naturalised in turf, Rock, Wildflower

Cultivation

Plant bulbs at four times their own depth in moist, free-draining soil in a sunny but cool or partly shaded position. Bulbs are delicate, so need to be handled carefully. Can be naturalised in grass.

Soil type

Chalky, Loamy, Sandy

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba (White-flowered snake's head fritillary)

Common pest name

Alfalfa dwarf; Anaheim disease; California vine disease; Dwarf disease of alfalfa; Dwarf disease of lucerne; Leaf scald of oleander; Leaf scald of plum; Leaf scorch; Phony disease of peach; Pierce's disease of grapevine; Variegated chlorosis of citrus

Scientific pest name

Xylella fastidiosa (all other strains and subspecies)

Type

Bacterium

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A bacterial disease with a wide host range and many sub-species and strains; including those that could thrive in cooler climates; showing different levels of pathogenicity. Although EU regulated; there is some concern about the risk of introduction. Should an outbreak occur; there would be a need for eradication action which would result in environmental and social impacts.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Fritillaria meleagris var. unicolor subvar. alba (White-flowered snake's head fritillary)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/