Arum dioscoridis is blooming here today for the first time. The decorative spathe makes this one a keeper, although the stench is bad. It's been growing in a protected cold frame since I got it as a small offset tuber in 2008. Years ago I tried this species in the open garden, and it lasted about three years (but never bloomed). This plant came from a friend who got it from either Jane McGary or Janis Ruksans. Arum hygrophilum bloomed weeks ago in the same frame. Dracunculus vulgaris should be in bloom any day now. Arum italicum is blooming in the open garden. All of these are contraindications for a tea party in the garden - unless you count the local turkey vultures as friends. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.021954º North, 77.052102º West, USDA zone 7 My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ <http://www.jimmckenney.com/> BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org /<http://www.pvcnargs.org/> Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/ <http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/>