Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra', also known as crown imperial fritillary, produces red flowers held pendulously beneath a tuft of leaves; visually, their inflorescence resembles a pineapple. This is one of the best cultivars among all of the Fritillaria imperialis offerings for naturalizing in the Chicago area. The plant prefers well-drained soils that are moist during late winter through early summer and then dry throughout the rest of the year. The bulbs, and the foliage to some extant, smell like skunk spray and are great for planting among tulips, crocuses, and other bulbs to repel rabbits and deer. Crown imperial fritillary is native to dry, rocky hillsides in Persia at higher elevations, where snowmelt provides early-season moisture.