Checkered lilies (Fritillaria meleagris) are very odd-looking. These little bulb-grown plants reach 8 to 12 inches high with checkered, down-facing flowers that appear in early spring.
They are resistant to deer and rodents and prefer full or partial sun.
The flowers also bloom in shades of cream or white, but they aren’t nearly as interesting or as fun as the checkered flowers:
As I learned last year, the foliage of the Checkered Lily looks a lot like crabgrass, so if you plant the tiny bulbs be sure to mark the location carefully or you may accidentally “weed” them.
Because they hang like little bells, you won’t see the insides of the flowers, but if you’re a curious sort like I am, here you go (spoiler alert!):
Plant Checkered Lily bulbs in the fall for spring bloom. The plants are hardy in Zones 3-8.