Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra Maxima', also known as crown imperial fritillary, produces dark orange flowers held pendulously beneath a tuft of leaves; visually, their inflorescence resembles a pineapple. This is the best cultivar 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. Bulbs 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.