Jim's story about the Lycoris-filled garden reminds me of one I passed by in Chile 2 years ago, where the entire front garden was filled with a striped Hippeastrum in full bloom. No doubt this country gardener had received a gift bulb many years ago, and multiplied it in this favorable climate. I've also noticed native species of Rhodophiala planted as ornamentals in rural Chile -- one of the few native species one sees used this way, despite the noble efforts of Drs. Riedemann and Aldunate and their "Flora Native de Valor Ornamental" series. A project I intend to see to when I've retired is going to some old Oregon gardens of which I have the addresses from back issues of the Rock Garden Quarterly, to find out if the collections described there 40 or so years ago still exist even in remnants. One is a violet collection, and another is snowdrops. Jane McGary Northwestern Oregon, USA ' At 02:55 PM 8/9/2009, you wrote: >At about this time last year I stumbled upon a small country garden full of >Lycoris squamigera. A knock on the door of the house did not bring an >answer, and I was reluctant to enter the garden without permission. It was >very tempting, especially since the garden was unfenced and very welcoming.