Snakes Head Fritillary

  Snakes Head Fritillary (Fritillaria Meleagris) What a little beauty!⁠
 That Mother Nature came up with this intricate chequerboard design never ceases to amaze & delight me. It's one of our most beautiful British wild flowers, isn't it?⁠
  There was a patch of these when we moved here, every year I've planted more. I let them seed & shake them about when dry too. They seem to enjoy a winter flash flood to keep the soil damp. ⁠
  Now they're spreading happily, popping up in odd places. In cutting beds, by the greenhouse, even a few on the side of the road... I think the seeds must stick to the birds feet & so spread along to another area.⁠
  Anyhow, I thought a few on the mantelpiece today would be a treat to share with you in close up. They last surprisingly well in a tiny vase.
  I stress these were grown in the garden & should, of course, never be cut from our wild places - sadly too rare now.