Fritillaria 'Alba' (Snake's Head Fritillary)

Dispatch begins week of 14 September
Autumn planting varieties are seasonal and become available at the start of September. We will then prepare your order and begin dispatch during the week beginning Monday 14 September.

Choose your pack size Naturalising scale; savings vs smallest pack
10 bulbs
Planting coverageStarts a compact naturalised patch
£5.09
£0.51 each
30 bulbs
Most popular Creates a visible spring drift
£15.29
£0.51 each
60 bulbs
Best value Builds a generous naturalised colony
£29.59
£0.49 each
Save 3% each

Free delivery on £40+ orders

Carbon-Neutral Delivery

Bloom or Bust Guarantee

Alba, often admired for its white colouring, is a bulb variety especially well suited to naturalising.

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba’ is a quietly exquisite spring-flowering bulb, bearing pristine white, nodding bells on slender stems above grey-green foliage. It lends a refined, natural charm when threaded through grass, tucked into woodland-style planting, or placed neatly at the front of a border—an elegant alternative to the more familiar chequered forms.

Best planted in early autumn for a relaxed, naturalised effect, this fully hardy perennial settles in gently and rewards patience with an increasingly lovely showing year by year.

Why you’ll love it

  • Pure white, bell-shaped flowers with a graceful, nodding habit
  • Superb for naturalising in grass and weaving through spring borders
  • Fully hardy and pollinator friendly
  • Compact and refined at around 30cm tall
Botanical name Fritillaria meleagris 'Alba'
Flower colour White
Bulb size 5/6
Established height 30cm
Established spread 10cm
Plant spacing 10cm
Leaf colour Grey-green
Habit Clump-forming
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully Hardy
Years to establish 2
Sunlight Full-Sun, Partial Sun
Position Borders, woodland-style planting, naturalising in grass
Suitable for Naturalising, grass, borders, woodland-style planting
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Moist but well-drained
Soil type Fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
RHS Award (AGM) AGM
Growing skill Easy
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant No

Where to Plant:

Fritillaria 'Alba' (Snake's head fritillary) needs full-sun, partial sun and a warm, sheltered position for the best flowering. Plant into fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well, and choose a spot protected from strong winds, especially for taller varieties.

How to Plant:

Plant bulb from September to December once conditions are suitable. Set them at the correct depth for the variety, spacing 10cm apart where relevant, then firm in gently and water well after planting.

Aftercare:

Water regularly in dry weather and feed every two to three weeks once buds appear. Stake taller stems early and deadhead to keep plants flowering. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally before lifting or protecting bulb according to local conditions.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Planting
Flowering

Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

RHS Award (AGM)

Naturalising

Fritillaria 'Alba' (Snake's head fritillary) - Harding & Bloom

Fritillaria 'Alba' (Snake's Head Fritillary)

£5.09

£5.09

The Finest Bulbs

We partner with elite growers to provide only top-size, professional-grade bulbs. Bigger bulbs mean stronger roots and more spectacular blooms.

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Discover an extensive collection of both timeless classics and rare, exclusive varieties to create a garden that is uniquely yours.

Our Bloom Guarantee

If a bulb or plant fails to perform in its first growing season after the care instructions have been followed, we will normally offer a replacement or store credit for the affected item. This does not affect your statutory rights.

Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset