Snakes Head Fritillary

Canada
May 7, 2018 11:01am CST
When we bought our house and moved in I realized there were a lot of plants and gardens to take care off. We sort of did take care of the gardens but some became messy. One bloom in one of the gardens I had never seen before. ( Photo above) I babied it, looked it up and loved it every spring. Last summer my husband took care of the small garden that had my favorite bloom and it didn't come up this spring... My first thought was my husband tossed its bulb when he was cleaning out that garden. I didn't say a word to him because I was glad it was done and the garden is delightfully clean and neat. Low and behold seven new plants grew in a different garden and I am delighted to get some photos. I don't believe they were growing there other years because I never saw them there but perhaps my husband took out the bulbs and planted them in the other garden. (what a good guy he can be...) What ever happened I am a happy gardener and delighted to have more of these snake heads than I thought I had. Aren't they interesting looking. When I first saw it years ago I thought it was a sad tulip... From Wikipedia: Fritillaria meleagris is a Eurasian species of flowering plant in the lily family. Its common names include snake's head fritillary, snake's head (the original English name), chess flower, frog-cup, guinea-hen flower, guinea flower, leper lily (because its shape resembled the bell once carried by lepers), Lazarus bell, chequered lily, chequered daffodil, drooping tulip or, in northern Europe, simply fritillary.
17 people like this
18 responses
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
7 May 18
Although I dislike their name, the flowers themselves are very pretty and so unique.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48415)
• Canada
9 May 18
@PainsOnSlate Is that even humanly possible.........not screaming at the sight of a snake.
2 people like this
• Canada
9 May 18
I love the look and I was surprised when I found out the name. I have finally, it took years and a daughter who is not afraid of snakes to teach me not to scream when I see a snake....
2 people like this
• Canada
9 May 18
@Juliaacv yup, it can happen...
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
8 May 18
I like those flowers, I did not know that it's called "snakes-head", I am unsure if I want to plant those flowers now.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
10 May 18
@PainsOnSlate Those in the picture are beautiful. I am going tomorrow at a nursery to have a look at the plants.
1 person likes this
• Canada
10 May 18
@LadyDuck While looking them up I noticed they have different colors, I'd be curious if you find it at the nursery. I hope you do.
1 person likes this
• Canada
10 May 18
They have other names that are easier on the brain, I love them and wish they would last longer in the spring. The color caught my eye.
2 people like this
@shaggin (71664)
• United States
7 May 18
Wow I have never seen this flower before it is really neat!I am so glad you shared this as I love learning about new things especially pretty ones like this.
2 people like this
• Canada
9 May 18
I was so happy to see them growing this week, took the photo and sent it to everyone.. I think they are so unusual and pretty too.
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
7 May 18
They are pretty.I prefer the name chequered daffodil,
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
12 May 18
@PainsOnSlate While I have no phobia of snake,I do not love them either.
1 person likes this
• Canada
10 May 18
Are you afraid of snakes? It made me smile to see how many didn't like the name snake for a flower. I finally outgrew my fear of snakes (little ones) so the name doesn't bother me.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325751)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 May 18
What an unusual flower. And doesn't it have a variety of names, all of which suit it.
2 people like this
• Canada
10 May 18
I love it because its so old and has so many names from all over the world. I really had never seen one until it bloomed in my yard.
1 person likes this
• Canada
30 May 18
@JudyEv I too think of them as a gift, a very beautiful gift, sadly it doen't last long and is gone now - until next spring.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325751)
• Rockingham, Australia
24 May 18
@PainsOnSlate I always feel that plants that come up like this so unexpectedly are like a special gift.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53679)
7 May 18
The pattern on the bulb looks similar to that of some snake skins, that's the reason it is called snake's head?
2 people like this
• Canada
7 May 18
I read about that, I liked the pattern but didn't associate with snake but I understand know.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
11 Jun 18
I have never seen them before but they are very pretty. I guess the lines or checks on the flower could resemble a snakes head. I think drooping tulip fits them more. I just don't care for the name "snakes head". I avoid snakes when I can.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11385)
• United States
15 Jun 18
@PainsOnSlate I am not as frightened of them as my husband is. He can't stand them and if one has to be dispatched around the house, normally, I am the one doing it. I don't bother them as long as they are not poisonous. The nonpoisonous ones are good for the earth eating rodents and such.
1 person likes this
• Canada
12 Jun 18
Snakes used to give me the creeps but I've learned to not be afraid in my old age.
1 person likes this
• Canada
17 Jun 18
@Shellyann36 my daughter is a snake lover. She sent me a video of a Black Rat Snake that visited her and her friends one night sitting by the fire in the yard. I will look for the video and share it. Black Rats Snakes have been inside of two of her homes and got rid of every mouse in both house...
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
7 May 18
that is a weird name there.But do like the flower.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
9 May 18
@PainsOnSlate yes it is
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
Very old fashioned, but so pretty.
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
10 May 18
Oh, wow! That is beautiful, pains! I wonder if I can find and purchase some of those bulbs to grow here? I believe I will give them a try, if I can. Thank you for sharing the pictures of your flowers with us!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137145)
• United States
6 Jun 18
@PainsOnSlate I thought I'd let you know that you can buy bulbs for this plant through this link: When I originally responded to this discussion I found a site that sells them at a cheaper price, but can't find that site again....
Heirloom Fall-Planted Diverse From America’s Expert Source for Heirloom Flower Bulbs My Basket My Account Fall-Planted Bulbs Spring-Planted Bulbs Gift Certificates Favorites, Rarest, New, Etc. Ordering Planting & Care Learn More Newsletter & Blog Advanced
1 person likes this
• Canada
7 Jun 18
@DaddyEvil Thanks for the info. Good to know. My gardens are old and full of interesting things, I was happy to find the Fritillaria, I might add some new things during the summer...
1 person likes this
• Canada
10 May 18
Anna @LadyDuck is looking in Switzerland for them, let me know if you find them in Missouri.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9036)
• United States
12 Jun 18
The name gives me the creeps, I thought you were going to tell us you found a snake in your flowers, yuck. This is better though and they are interesting, I have never heard of them
1 person likes this
• Canada
18 Jun 18
I had never seen one until it grew in my yard.
1 person likes this
• Trinidad And Tobago
26 May 18
Interesting the way new plants can surprise you. Mother Nature in her complexities. I have never see that flower before, we do not have it here. I am happy you can enjoy it and that it even have several more. Maybe with a little help you can have a full bed. Wouldn't they look pretty?
1 person likes this
• Canada
27 May 18
They are so unique and beautiful, but like a tulip its a spring only bloom and it only lasts a couple of weeks, I did enjoy every one this spring.
@porwest (78761)
• United States
9 May 18
Hope you find out how this happened. Either way, at least you got your blooms.
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
I'm happy with my new blooms
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
10 May 18
@PainsOnSlate They definitely are something to write home about. Lovely indeed.
1 person likes this
@august18 (3907)
• Tunisia
24 Jun 18
Those are really lovely flowers you got over there.
1 person likes this
• Canada
24 Jun 18
I never saw them until we bought this house, It was a pleasant surprise and I think they are lovely too.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
7 May 18
Wow!!! Such a beautiful and lovely flowers... Never seen them here..
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
This one that grew in my bed was the first one I ever saw too.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
9 May 18
@PainsOnSlate yes, maybe they are rare
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
8 May 18
Those are lovely flowers that would be welcomed in any garden.
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
I think so too. So pretty.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
19 May 18
They are so pretty, I really need to start taking care of my gardens.
1 person likes this
• Canada
30 May 18
I don't do much in the garden, the flowers come up among the weeds.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
7 May 18
It is a beautiful colour almost looks like an upside down Tulip. Glad it is just a flower and not a real snake though!
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
It was a great find in my yard. Love the look and glad they don't bring snakes...
@Peach10 (1920)
7 May 18
Interesting. I love flowers but this one is rare.
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 May 18
It really is rare, its a very old fashioned bloom