Checkered Lilies

Checkered lilies are great at naturalizing, and with gracefully nodding flower heads, these naturalized drifts add real elegance to a landscape. The unusual checkerboard pattern is a fabulous bonus, and the colors make a lovely contrast to other spring blooms. They grow well in moist soil, so they make a good underplanting for those spots that don't quite dry out between waterings, so long as they get some sunlight. They can even thrive under Black Walnut Trees. You may recognize this bloom as a Guinea Hen Flower, so nicknamed for the odd bird has the same checkerboard pattern on its feathers. Deer tend to avoid Checkered Lilies. Fritillaria meleagris