All flowers
Persian Lily Wikimedia Commons
Liliaceae

Persian Lily

Fritillaria persica

Majestic mystery and regal depth.

Family
Liliaceae
Genus
Fritillaria
Native to
Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Jordan
Bloom season
Spring
Type
bulbous perennial
Height
60–100 cm
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, sandy, fertile
Water
moderate; dry summer dormancy
Hardiness
5–8
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The cultivar 'Adiyaman' produces up to 30 bell-shaped, near-black flowers stacked on a single tall spike.
  • The flowers have a musky, slightly unpleasant scent designed to attract flies rather than bees.
  • The bulb has a distinctive skunk-like odor that reportedly deters moles, voles, and deer from the garden.
  • It requires a hot, dry summer dormancy period to thrive — constant moisture will rot the bulb.
  • In its native Middle Eastern habitat, it grows on rocky hillsides among scrubby vegetation.

Color meanings

Deep Purple

mysterious power

Plum

ancient royalty

Uses

  • spring borders
  • architectural planting
  • cut flowers
  • deer-resistant gardens