Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 3/26/2006

Question
    Last fall I planted 4 Fritillaria . In Feb. during a warm spell, 2 of them came up. Later cold killed the foliage that had grown. The stem is still green.Is there any chance they will regrow when weather is warm? Is there anything I can do?

Answer
This is normal with the fritillari and other late bloomers. They typically do a good job of coming back. There is really nothing you can do now, but to wait. Typically, this happens when bulbs are just planted for the first time, e.g. first season. It usually correct itself for following years.

Sometimes this can also happen if bulbs are planted too shallowly. Make sure that in future, bulbs are planted at the recommended dept and preferably mulched in fall. Mulch after the soil freezes. The goal with the mulch is to keep the soil uniformly cool (not warm) and to avoid early growth as you have seen.

However, I recommend leaving the bulbs where they are. Fritillaria seldom likes to be disturbed.