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[Geoforce]

Been trying to get F. meleagris growing in my garden for years, with little luck, I think the location is a bit too dry.  Eight years now and although they put up leaves, this is first year with over a single bloomer.  But..

Got three very nice pods with dozens of nice plump flaky seeds and needed to know seeding methods. Boing!  Search found me a reference showing Ian doing just what I needed in 2007/03 log.   Marvelous!

Now, it seems Ian suggests waiting till fall to plant these European species. Is this correct?

George

[Ian Y]

George , getting your own seed pods is the best start to establishing a colony, every subsequent generation you raise from your own seed will become more adapted towards your growing conditions.
As a general rule I save Fritillaria seed until late August before I sow it but that is for sowing in pots and in our garden conditions. If you have a reliably warm dry summer you could sow the seed  now.
Also when naturalising - that is sowing the seeds directly into the garden I sow F. meleagris as soon as it is ripe.
This species likes relatively wet growing conditions and thrives in our gravel drive.

[Geoforce]

Thanks for your interest Ian I love you logs and have been reading them for years even before I finally joined this forum.

I have a fair amount of land here (6+ acres ~ 2.5 hectares) although I can't,  of course, closely garden all of it, a portion contains a small year-around stream (Spring fed never freezes) and a sunny swale which occasionally  floods in heavy rainy weather.  Would such an area be suitable for F. meleagris naturalization, and if so, should I simply broadcast some seed, or grow on bulbs to try there?

George