Greetings from the sunny and warmer south, Rand. It's now main season for Trillium here in Maryland, USA. Podophyllum peltatum is in bloom, Sanguinaria long gone, and the yellow lady's slipper, Cypripedium parviflorum, is just starting to bloom. Toads are spawning for the second time. Most of the summer birds are back: a catbird greeted me in the garden this morning, and the trees are full of warblers; and hummingbirds, orioles, tanagers, vireos and all the rest are being reported from the area. I think I heard a cuckoo yesterday. And I've got my eyes peeled for an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. : ) Iris 'Dardanus' has six budded scapes this year - and the first flower should open this week. Iris cristata is blooming now. Frits are about over for this year. Let us know when things start to pop up there in New Brunswick. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@starpower.net Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where we are enjoying a very cool but very lovely spring.