Thanks to all who responded, over the list and via email, to my query about SA winter growers that might do as well as Moraea polystachya in my garden. It seems as though M. polystachya may be exceptional in its early sprouting and rapid blooming, but via email one person suggested Moraea ciliata. I'll also take a look at the Oxalis suggested by Ernie deMarie and Mark Mazer. I am cognizant of Charles Powne's warning that I'm really pushing the recommended zone for winter growers and will take his suggestion to also look for high altitude summer growers from the Drakensberg -- though as Ernie deMarie suggests, there I may find plants that don't like our summer heat and humidity. As far as summer growers go, so far I have been successful with Gladiolus dalenii, various Eucomis, Crinum hybrids, and Ornithogalum candicans. This winter, I'm testing Scadoxus multiflorus and puniceus buried deep, and I have some seedling Gladiolus saundersii and Erythrina zeyheri in the greenhouse that will probably go in the ground next year. Tony Avent grows a fair number of S. African summer growers not too far from here, but he is probably half a zone warmer and has much sandier soil, so his success may not easily translate. Happy New Year to all. Nick Plummer Durham, North Carolina, Zone 7