Fritillaria stenanthera

Fritillaria stenanthera is a small fritillary native to Central Asia, growing on grassy hillsides and scree in mid-altitude mountains. It stands out for its pink, flared bell-shaped flowers with strongly marked purple nectaries, borne in small numbers atop grey-green stems with narrow, red-edged leaves. Flowering is very early, starting in earliest spring. In cultivation it needs well-drained soil, a sunny position, and a dry summer rest, like most Central Asian fritillaries.