Crown Imperial Fritillaria not blooming

Hi,

I planted one Crown Imperial Fritillaria 'Rubra Maxima' two years ago, and it is no longer blooming. The first spring it bloomed fine, last spring it bloomed weakly, and now three plants came up, but all have stayed green so far with no sign of a black stem or the orange blooms. The only information I can find online is to make sure the bulb has good drainage under it, but I had researched before planting and put a two inch layer of sandy gravel under the bulb and laid it at a slight angle so water wouldn't pool in the impression on the top of the bulb. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I lift the bulb this fall and see if I can divide it and/or move it to different location?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Anna

We had the same problem a few years back.
I lifted the bulbs after the plant was completely dormant, then added in new Miracle Grow soil to fill a 6" X 8" deep hole. (Placed 2" of MG soil under the bulb). The Imperials bloomed wonderfully after that.

We have decomposted granite which must be tilled with peat moss and compost to have a good perennial garden. Our weather conditions are so off as well. In March we had temps in the 70's which took the perennials by surprise. They think its summer, So they grew like crazy, Then we have snow and freezing temps. Had to cover them to protect their new growth. What a shocker for them.

Thanks for your response. I think I'll follow your lead and lift my bulbs this fall and try adding in compost or miracle grow. Did you replant them in the exact same spot or did you move them?

Luckily we didn't have any early heat waves come through like yours to throw off the plants this spring...although I think we were still in the negatives in the beginning of April, which probably isn't so good either.

Thanks again for your help!