Fritillaria 'Sunset' (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 Display scale; savings vs smallest pack
1 bulb
Planting coverageCreates one focal point
£6.59
£6.59 each
3 bulbs
Most popular Creates a balanced architectural group
£19.69
£6.56 each
Save 0% each
5 bulbs
Best value Creates a balanced architectural group
£32.79
£6.56 each
Save 0% each

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Sunset, often admired for its orange colouring, is a bulb variety especially well suited to borders.

Fritillaria imperialis ‘Sunset’ is a wonderfully architectural crown imperial, prized for its glossy green foliage and a ring of burnished orange, bell-shaped flowers, finished with a jaunty tuft at the top. It brings a composed, statuesque note to spring borders and looks equally at home threaded through naturalistic planting.

Plant in autumn into fertile, well-drained soil in a sheltered position, and allow space for its upright, clump-forming habit. As the stems rise in spring, ‘Sunset’ provides height, colour and a confident vertical accent—particularly effective repeated in small groups.

  • Botanical name: Fritillaria imperialis ‘Sunset’
  • Common name: fritillary (crown imperial)
  • Flower colour: Orange with green foliage
  • Flowering: March–May
  • Height: 50–100cm
  • Bulb size: 24/26
Botanical name Fritillaria imperialis 'Sunset'
Flower colour Orange
Bulb size 24/26
Established height 50–100cm
Established spread 10cm
Plant spacing 30cm
Leaf colour Green
Habit Clump-forming, upright
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully Hardy
Years to establish 2
Sunlight Full-Sun
Position Sheltered
Suitable for Borders, Naturalising, Containers
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Well-drained
Soil type Loam
RHS Award (AGM) RHS Award of Garden Merit
Growing skill Easy
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant Yes

Where to Plant:

Fritillaria 'Sunset' (fritillary) needs full-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 30cm 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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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

RHS Award (AGM)

Naturalising

Fritillaria 'Sunset' (fritillary) - Harding & Bloom

Fritillaria 'Sunset' (Fritillary)

£6.59

£6.59

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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