I got my mother in law some crown imperials, as she was oohing & aahing over them, and that they also repel rodents. Our only question is this.. are they toxic at all? She has 2 little dogs that she doesn't know if they'd get into them should we plant them in one section of the yard where they go out regularly. I don't want to plant them in a location where it could be dangerous to the pets if they could be toxic. I need to plant them pretty much, tomorrow. We leave here on Sunday, and well, winter is encroaching early it would seem.

HI Meg here is some imformation i found for you ok.heres a link on Fritillaria Imperialis bulbs.
http://www.crescentbloom.com/Plants/Specimen/FO/Fritillaria%20imperialis.htm

Adverse factors
Common pests Poisonous parts Poisonous indications Internal poison no Dermatologic poison no Livestock poison no Mechanical injury no Hay fever pollen Hay fever season Adverse qualities

Herbal medicine
Medicinal properties expectorant galactagogue Medicinal parts Bulbs Has medicinal uses yes Do not self-administer yes Do no use if pregnant no Legally restricted no Toxicity precautions It is very toxic Medicinal notes Fritillaria imperialis is thought to have beneficial uses as either an expectorant or a galactagogue. Crown imperial is only to be administered with proper professional knowledge. Herbal remedies are only prepared from the bulbs. It is very toxic.


hope this helps answer your question.your friend in gardening.mike57

Thanks Mike. I read a few different links I looked up as well, and while there is some toxicity reported, mainly in the raw bulbs themselves.. I don't think it'll be an issue since they are planted 8" down. However, there are the cyclamen I got her.. those are completely toxic. Good thing it's not where the dogs go where we are planning on planting them.

Meg

I just got a Crown Imperial bulb in the mail from Bonnie (ServantsHeart2003) yesterday! When I opened the package, it smelled like SKUNK! (Whew! How can something so beautiful smell so foul?!! If I were a mole or a deer, I wouldn't eat it, either!)

Is this sensitive to cold, or can I put it in the ground now? I don't bring up my Gladiolas or Lillies in the winter here, cuz the ground doesn't freeze... will this plant go by the same "rules"?

Thanx Bonnie! I hope my brown thumb can keep something this special alive! (I think I'll plant it over in Carlyville, after I get the house built!)

Patty, these bulbs are the kind that you plant in fall, so they can establish thier roots and be dormant for winter. They come up in spring, about April-ish. Get em in the ground now.

Meg

Crowns are GREAT! Plant them about 7-8 inches deep. I call them the "plant from Mars", they NEVER fail to stop people who see them. They look like they're not from Earth!

Tom

Hey Meg congrats on getting crowns. Someday I want to have some too.

I got my 6 crowns planted in a 20 gallon container.When the cold front arrived I could smell them.I can't wait to see them grow.I have no idea what else as a ground cover to grow with them.

Congrats on your crowns to Njoynit. What colors did you choose? I love all three so it's just curiousity.

I have 2 red....2 orange...2 yellowAnd I learned is a verigated one thats yellow.if these ppreform well....I'll get the verigated.

someone suggested a assylum its yellow they said they thought was golden assylum...anyone seen or grown this?