23.312 Fritillary meleagris look inside that pretty head.

I've never grown these in this garden. I have always assumed they would be too delicate for the wind here, but that may be wrong.
I do, however, always buy bulbs for a friend who has a big collection and admire those instead.

You can buy packs of them quite cheaply nowadays so even if they don't grow you will not lose much. The following website has some information about this plant which is, surprisingly enough, a British native plant. It was almost ploughed out of existence in the second world war in the drive for growing for victory and is now on the endangered list although there are plently of suppliers of nursry grown stock.
http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/snakes-head-fritillary-fritillaria.html

Thanks, Scotsgran. I've made a note of that.

Mine have come back this year, im delighted...they're beautiful....

I planted lots in my new island bed and I think they are just starting to show. They are beautiful. I'm hoping I have some white or cream ones too. The pale bud on this opened today to another dark flower.