This is a charming but tough little tulip, and one of the best for naturalizing. Slender nodding buds straighten as they open into nearly flat golden flowers with green-backed, pointed petals and a rich fragrance. It will survive dappled shade, chalky soil, and even the plough, spreading by way of stolons, deep underground. In fact it is so good at naturalizing, it doesn't need to be chilled in areas with very mild winters, such as the southern USA. 

Hailing originally from Northern Italy, it's thought it hitched a ride to the UK tangled up with vines destined for the country's monasteries. From there it spread to meadows, hedgerows and eventually North America. 

At 25cm (10") it's also quite tall for a species tulip. Flowers appear in April or May.