Sylvestris

Sylvestris, The woodland tulip. Native of Italy and widely naturalised further north, including England, Holland, Germany and even Norway.

It prefers sun but will tolerate light shade, growing in grassy meadows, open woods and vinyard, flowering in April and May. It has narrow greygreen leaves and bears bright yellow flowers on wandlike 30cm stems. When in bloom it brings a touching charm to the mid-spring garden. In a sunny location it is easily grown and will naturalise even in grass if it is not too coarse. The grass should not be mowed, however, until their foliage has turned yellow.