How much sun does Yellow Bell need?

Yellow Bell grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Yellow Bell bloom?

Yellow Bell blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Yellow Bell native?

Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Yellow Bell toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Yellow Bell as toxic to livestock.

What pollinators does Yellow Bell attract?

Yellow Bell draws bees and butterflies.

Is Yellow Bell HOA-friendly?

Yellow Bell takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Yellow Bell

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Fritillaria pudica

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Yellow Bell as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

low

Size

4"–12" H × 2"–6" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains

Yellow bell is a charming early spring bulb that produces bright yellow nodding flowers that age to orange-red. This small native wildflower goes dormant after blooming, disappearing completely until the following spring.

In an HOA neighborhood

Yellow Bell takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Completely disappears after spring bloom
Leaves empty spaces in planted beds
Very small scale may look sparse

Wildlife value

Provides nectar for early spring bees and butterflies when few other flowers are available. The early bloom time makes it especially valuable for emerging pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Yellow Bell need?: Yellow Bell grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Yellow Bell bloom?: Yellow Bell blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Yellow Bell native?: Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica) is native to CA, CO, ID, MT and 5 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Yellow Bell toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Yellow Bell as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Yellow Bell attract?: Yellow Bell draws bees and butterflies.
Is Yellow Bell HOA-friendly?: Yellow Bell takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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