In message , The Brownie
writes
Can anyone advise me.. I tried in vain to grow Snakes Head Fritillary years
ago when we lived in a different region. Heavy clay soil. Needles to to say
they didnt thrive. Now were in a Cumbria soil - and plenty of rain. Can I
grown this plant in pots, please, and what to do- what to avoid... Thanks

Marg

Hi Marg,

In Dorset we have pretty heavy clay or the green variety. We have been
quite successful in growing Snakes Head Fritillary in a small wildflower
meadow created at the end of our garden. And they're gradually spreading
- but never quickly enough. I also collect the seeds and broadcast them
over the areas I want the SHF to populate but it takes some 3 or so
years (I believe) for the plants to flowers from seed.

IIRC the best place to see a field of SHF in England is in Oxfordshire
and I believe it is a heavy clay soil. Regardless - don't give up.
They're beautiful plants to grow.

Good luck - I suspect some of the much better informed members of this
group will be along shortly with some practical tips :-))
--
Gopher .... I know my place!