I second Mark McDonough's remarks on behalf of species tulips. As with many of our bulbs, we grow a sampling of these in standard black poly nursery containers and a standard coarse commercial potting mix, to verify their identity. They stay under cover the first winter, but after that are largely on their own, protected from the cold only by snow and from the heat only by dappled shade, and fertilized and weeded rarely if ever. Yet, they often rebloom in following years (species that have done so include T. schrenkii, T. tarda, T. vvedenskyi, T. greigii, and T. agenensis). In the ground, T. praestans, T. kaufmanniana, and other species persist and bloom for at least several years. I will be testing many species over the next few years. A few comments on "marginally hardy" bulbs. Eucomis autumnalis and Zantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess' have wintered here for several years. I'm certain some Agapanthus would, but I haven't tried them -- yet. Galtonia candicans winters and makes a good summer-bloomer. Cardiocrinum giganteum has flowered here, weathering our late spring frosts and summer heat. Quite a few others I'd like to discuss -- perhaps later when I have a little more time. Keep in mind that we're in the lea of Lake Michigan, with USDA zone 6 temperatures and lake-effect cloud-cover and snow. Russell > most Tulipa are a waste of time > > and money >[presumably in terms of Jim's climate in Indiana] > >Jim, how about the small species Tulips? Russell Stafford Odyssey Bulbs 8984 Meadow Lane, Berrien Springs, Michigan 269-471-4642 http://www.odysseybulbs.com/