Dear all; Been away (actually extremely busy) from the computer so excuse delays. I have been a booster for Crinum in more temperate topics for years. Straight C. bulbispermum have been blooming for weeks with a variety of clones including 'Sacremento'. 'Alba' and others. Always produce huge seed pods, too. The xpowelllii and alba forms have just begun sending up flower stalks-they are usually later than bulbispermum. Unusual rains will probably produce an abundance of stalks. These plants have grown here for nearly 10 years and I expect dozens of stalks. Later named varieties will start including 'Cecil Houdyshel', 'Ellen Bosanquet', 'Catherine' etc. After last summer's drought, but goos spring rain, the foliage is perhaps even larger than ever and clumps more vigorous. This is the only problem here in that they take over a large area in the garden. I can strongly urge anyone in Zone 6 to try some and here at the ege of Zone 5 they are entirely satisfactory- better, wonderful. Blooming very well this year, Lilium michiganense has produced stems well over 3-4 feet and now have mostly 3 flowers per stem. Young stems have a single nodding flower and it has spread around the semi-shaded bed. Clearly a start performer. Of course most other lily cvs have started too- Orientals, Asiatics, trumpets and few species. No Orienpets , yet. This is lily season in the garden here and they are showing off extremely well. Even L. regale which can be shy here. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +