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We've had 3 fritillaria plants for several years, and have had no problems with them. They've always flowered (orange), and are so interesting to watch grow, since they grow so quickly. This year, they grew as normal, but never flowered, and now are turning yellow as they do when they're dying off.
Do fritillarias only last a few years? Should they be replaced?
If Crown Imperials are happy with their growing conditions, they should continue to bloom and produce new bulbs, eventually forming a small colony. Here are some aspects to check:
Does the location get full sun while they're growing?
Is the location one that tends to be on the dry side (especially in the fall before the ground freezes)?
Is the soil loose and well-drained?
Is the soil fertility fairly high?
Does your soil acidity fall somewhere between 6.5 and 7.5?
If all of the above are true, you might try fertilizing with half-strength tomato fertilizer once the leaves start to emerge next spring. Failing all that, you could dig the bulbs in the fall and pot them up immediately, preferably in a clay pot. That way you can control all the conditions l mentioned above. The pot(s) would need to be kept in an area that remains above freezing and averages winter temperatures in the 40s. Water thoroughly once right after potting and once during the winter. In the spring, set the pot(s) outside in full sun once the temps are above freezing at night and water when the top of the potting soil becomes dry. Let me know how things go. Happy gardening!
