Well I'll put in my 2 cents worth : I grow both and have for years. L. vernum only as the carpaticum form, but never bought under that name, just were. They bloom reliably each year, set seed and don't really expand much. I have them in a couple spots. They tend to start blooming at ground level as soon as buds rise above the soil. Foliage slightly paler, but still rich green, than L. aestivum. It is about 1 to 1 1/4 inch tall now. L. aestivum is many times more vigorous; blooming, expanding its growing area, producing numerous grape size fruits filled with seed and seedlings appearing each year. I also have the indecipherably similar 'Gravetye Giant'. Folage is up about the same as L. vernum, but much deeper green color. My L. aestivum (Summer snowflake) ALWAYS precedes L. vernum in bloom exactly opposite of logic. Hearing from those having difficulty with these is a bit surprising since mine grow in a fairly dry site. I have no damp site-anywhere. Of course we get winter and spring precipitation-this year more rain than snow. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +