• Image of Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilistaken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
    taken at Juniper Level Botanic Gdn, NC by JLBG
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Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis

Slender-leaf Balkan Fritillary

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

Shop Available Fritillaria

Item #: 11637

Zones: 7a to 9b, at least

Dormancy: Winter, Summer, Fall

Height: 16" tall

Culture: Sun to Part Sun

Origin: Albania, Balkans, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy, Serbia

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


We've killed more Fritillaria over the years than most folks know exist, so we are delighted to share one species that actually thrives for us. Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis is a seriously cute Balkan native that we saw in situ during our 2012 expedition in Croatia. In the wild, it grew in very dry, rocky, alkaline clay soils among dense shrubs. In the garden, it has proven amazingly easy to cultivate...a rarity for us and the genus fritillaria. Starting for us in late March, the clusters of 1-3 finger-sized caramel-colored bells with golden insides, dangle from the 16" tall glaucous stems. Like other spring ephemerals, Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis has gone to sleep for the summer by June. In cultivation, Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis is often incorrectly labeled as Fritillaria acmopetala. Bright sun and good drainage seem to be the only prerequisites for success.