Snakes Head Fritillary | Fritillaria meleagris
Elegant, chequered bell-shaped flowers in purple and white, perfect for naturalising near ponds.
Normally Available From: April
Snake’s Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris) produces stunning, nodding, bell-shaped flowers with unique chequered patterns in deep purple and white. A favourite for naturalising in damp meadows or around pond edges, it adds a touch of elegance in spring.
Loved by pollinators, this delicate yet striking plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil. Ideal for wildlife-friendly gardens.
Humans/Pets: Ornamental Bulbs - not to be eaten
Key Characteristics:
- Height 20cm to 30cm
- Spread: up to 15cm
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Colour: Chequered, bell-shaped, purple and white.
- Growth Habit: Clump-forming, upright, arching
- Foliage: Slender, narrow, grass-like
Additional Information:
- Common Name: Snakes Head Fritillary
- Position: Full Sun/Part Shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich, loamy.
- Flowering Period: April to May
- Hardiness: Hardy in most UK areas; tolerates -15°C to -10°C. (H5)
- UK Native 🇬🇧 | Supports Pollinators 🐝
Please note our dates are subject to change as conditions may mean that our plants are not quite ready for you
Your Plant At Arrival
Your moisture loving plant will arrive in a solid 9cm pot, pre-planted with soil. Just pop out the pot and into the ground in an damp area close to your pond or a garden border.
How to Grow
- Growing Instructions:
- Growing Tips:
Care & Maintenance
- Pruning: Remove spent flowers to prevent self-seeding if not desired. Allow leaves to die back naturally to nourish the bulbs.
- Pests/Diseases: Generally trouble-free but can be affected by lily beetles. Watch for slugs and snails in damp conditions. Ensure good drainage to prevent bulb rot.
Moisture Lovers - Good to Know
How are Moisture Loving Plants different to Marginal Plants?
Moisture loving plants are not planted in the pond like marginal plants are.
They are planted outside of the pond in natural or mad-made damp, boggy areas.
These plants like to keep their roots damp but not water-logged at all times, so do not let the area they are in become dry.
Will my Moisture Loving plants arrive potted?
Yes, they will arrive potted in solid 9cm pots.
As these plants are moisture lovers, they do not sit inside your pond but round the edges in boggy/damp areas, so are planted directly into the ground without their pot.
How many plants will I need?
We recommend 8 x 9cm plants per sqm to achieve a full look in your bog garden.
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Prices
Mainland UK
Standard delivery: £6.00
Large plants (e.g., 30ltr waterlilies): pallet delivery - quote required.
Soil & gravel: additional charges apply for multiple bags.
Please email us with your postcode if a delivery price is not displaying at checkout
Highlands & Islands
Small parcels under 1.8kg: £6.00
Standard parcels over 1.8kg: £25.00
All H&I deliveries use 48-hour services
If you’re unsure about delivery costs to your postcode, please email us at.
Container Ponds
Delivery from £30 (postcode-based, please check before ordering)
Shipping to Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Europe
Sorry, we are unable to ship to the above destinations.
Dispatch Schedule
Aquatic Plants
March: Monday and Thursday
April – August: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Late August to October: Monday and Thursday
October – February: Tuesday only
Aquatic plants are dispatched all year round, though frequency reduces during low season.
Garden Plants
Dispatched all year round - Tuesday & Thursday
Are plants dispatched the same day as ordering?
No. Live plants require draining and careful preparation. The nurseries dispatch in scheduled batches rather than on-demand. This means same-day dispatch isn’t possible, but we always aim to send your order as promptly as we can within our dispatch schedule.
If you’d like to check when your order is likely to arrive, just email us and we’ll be happy to advise.
Delivery and Couriers
We use trusted UK couriers:
APC and Royal Mail for pond plants
DX for garden plants
Pallet deliveries for 30ltr waterlilies, large landscape orders and container ponds
Delivery Times
APC and DX orders are sent on overnight services but may take up to 48 hours depending on your local depot.
Royal Mail parcels usually arrive within 24–48 hours.
Plants are packed in damp soil and remain safe in transit for several days.
Tracking and Safe Place Instructions
Your dispatch email will contain tracking information where applicable.
Couriers are instructed to leave parcels in a safe place with no signature required. You can add your own delivery notes using the links below. We recommend requesting a cool, shaded spot so the plants stay fresh on arrival.
APC - https://apcchoice.apc-overnight.com/
Royal Mail - will use your email and mobile number provided during ordering to send delivery updates and enable you to add safe-place instructions.
Please do not delay delivery of live plants.
Royal Mail will never ask you to make an additional payment for a delivery. If you receive a message requesting payment, please delete it and do not click any links. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, email us and we’ll be happy to advise
Damages & Returns
If your order arrives damaged, please take photos of the packaging and plants and email us with your PFP order number.
Due to bio-security and the perishable nature of plants, we cannot accept returns of plants or molluscs.
Container ponds are handmade to order and non-returnable unless damaged.
For full details, please see our returns policy
Need Help?
If you have any questions about delivery or dispatch times, please email us
Plants Delivered with Care Across the UK
Based in Hertfordshire, we ship plants across the UK, ensuring they reach you in tip-top condition to enhance your pond with vibrant, healthy greenery. Supporting a small, local business like ours means getting a personal touch – no big teams, no call centres, just real, knowledgeable help from people who care.
