Known as a typical Dutch flower but originally from the Far East. Probably Turkey or Iran.
More typical to the Dutch was the tulipomania during the Golden Age (1600). Prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels. Some single tulip bulbs were sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. The term 'tulip mania' is now sometimes used to refer to any large economic bubble. We have some at the moment I believe.
Can't wait for them to be in bloom here!