Sternbergia lutea

Winter-growing bulbous species. Bulbous characterized by long, dark green ribbon-like leaves that appear immediately after flowering or at the same time as the flowers and fall in April-May. The flowers, about 8 cm in diameter when fully open, are a beautiful intense yellow color. The flowers appear at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn after the first abundant rains at the end of summer. Each bulb produces only one flower but, since the species is very clumping, the mass flowering is very showy. Native species of the Mediterranean basin and western Asia where it grows spontaneously in dry meadows, on stony ground and in dry woods. It requires well-drained soil and a sunny or semi-shaded position. Keep dry in summer. Hardy. Bulb or plant in a long pot.