Hi all, I live in San Clemente in So. CA, about 750 ft above sea level overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. We are close enough to derive the benefit of cooling from the fog but are just above the normal fog level (which is at around 500 ft hereabouts). While San Clemente only gets about 10 inches of rain a year, we likely get another 5-10 inches of moisture from the fog and marine air. Our temperatures therefore remain pretty stable and the summertime day temps are 12-15 F below what they are even just a half mile inland off the ocean. We are on a lot that is about 1/4 acre with perhaps two thirds of that on a wooded slope of about 45 degrees. My husband and I have been here about 5 years, having moved from Costa Mesa, and so far I only have the back yard finished but am making some real progress at last out front. I grow mostly perennials and bulbs. Most of the bulbs are in pots. It is my mission to get all the bulbs out of pots and growing permanently in the beds sometime before I'm dead of old age. I used to grow hippeastrum (commonly called amaryllis) but they are way too temperamental. If it's not the mealy bugs - and it always is - then it's that red fungus. Nuts to that. I grow H. papilio only which seems happy and remains healthy. Also grow some Clivias and X Cyrtanthiaflora, which I put into a shade bed just recently and they are a lot happier than they ever were in pots. In fact the X Cyrtanthiflora is blooming now. Gorgeous. Got a photo and will try to post it. Lately I've been going nuts with lilies. Trumpets, asiatics, orientals, and all the crosses in between. These are mostly in the beds with daylilies, foxgloves, delphiniums, chocolate cosmos, alstroemerias, coreopsis, campanulas, cannas, and vegetables too. After two separate failures I have managed to sucessfully grow Madonna Lilies. Very pretty, but on the wimpy side. Will see how they do next year, but at least they bloomed this year. There are a flat of 4 in pots of Nerines, just divided and repotted. These do quite well; no bugs and no diseases. Bloom pretty reliably each year. We did rescue a few hundred Amaryllis belladonna bulbs from up north and planted them out on the slope. So far they are alive and well and I hope/expect they will bloom this fall. The South African bulbs live out in the hot beds with the hollyhocks. Can't call yourself a gardener without hollyhocks. And I broke down and finally started growing roses too. Not HTs, but climbers, shrubs, and old-fashioned ones too. I finally saw my first Lycoris bloom a few days ago. Thing has been in the ground for years and at last bloomed. I goofed up and planted it about a foot deep. You have to give bulbs credit, they are tenacious devils! I also grow tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. T. Ollioules has come back each year and increased some for 4 years now. At last Urgineas are blooming. This is an interesting plant. Enough of that. I am interested to hear what you all grow with your bulbs. This is a challenge; trying to figure out how to pair perennials and bulbs. BTW, anyone and everyone is always welcome to stop by. Our door is always open to plant nuts. Just call or email first to make sure I am here. It's nice to talk plants in person too. And you can always have some to take home with you. Cathy Craig San Clemente CA Zone 9b