Thanks, Mary Sue for your contribution. As far as hardiness is concerned there are definite differences amongst them. To generalise the white and very pale pink cultivars like Snow Maiden and Hint of Pink are probably the weakest varieties and definitely struggle to overwinter in the cold wind and rain. On the other hand some of the deep red ones like Red Dragon, found originally in a mountain cottage garden in Wales I believe, are tough as old boots, vigorous in growth and sturdier than the norm in form. New ones are being found all the time and I have only this week taken delivery of two as yet un-named cultivars one of which is pure white with a strong vigourous growth pattern up to 3 feet high! As far as identification is concerned the two UK National Collection Holders are agreed that recording Colour (using whenever possible the RHS colour chart),Markings, Perianth segments in length and width, Hight and number of flowers per spike are the best we can do. Sometimes ancillary info may be relevant such as whether the cultivar is vigourous or weak or needs much support in flower. I guess the point on the DNA testing may be that, like homo sapiens , one species with distinct individual Dna, so may cultivars also have distinct Dna as they may exhibit infinitesmal differences in colour growth and other characteristics but this is supposition on my part. I am assured it is worth researching so await progress on my project with great interest! I think the Schizostylis Mary Sue recalls is Mrs Hegarty rather than Miss! If Mrs Hegarty has offspring I have no record of the birth registration! I was very interested in the distribution in the USA and have also noted that New Zealand, seems to be a happy home for them too. Wet feet and warm heads seems to be the key which ties in with their original native habitat in the banks of streams in the mountains of Southern Africa Incidentally, I know that S.c. Rosalie is grown in the USA but the nursery who offer it for sale don't export and don't respond to emails but somebody must have it. It has been missing from Europe stockists for over 5 years at least and I would love to try and trace a source for it. Tracking them down can be fascinating in itself. In one case a 92 year old man, at the other end of the country, has the only known example worldwide of S. c.Zeal Blush growing in a pot in his greenhouse. I am very gently trying to persuade him to part with a small part of it for one day it may be lost to us forever! Which is what NCCPG is all about and where I came in.