Jamie Vande Cologne Germany Zone 8 I've always been fascinated by this tiny genus, ever since I heard my cousin pronounce it as naked scr--- something or other! I find their subtle colouring and noble stance appealing, not to mention the elegant foliage, bluish-greygreen with ribs, appearing almost succulent from the distance. The hanging umbels seem to dance in the breeze, catching light with their slight irridescence. People do notice them! The manner in which the pollinated umbels then set themselves upright to ripen, what a great device! Then, if that were not enough, friends fight over the dried pods for floral arrangements! I find that they do seed about, much like the Alliums, which is fine. I'ld be very interested to find seed or bulbs of this other species! N. tripetale. Never heard of it or seen any reference to other species in the genus. N. bulgaricum is considered a sub-species to N. siculum, and I fear that the two have been interbred indiscriminately, leaving the true sub-specific forms as rairities. Pity, really. How are they doing in the wilds? Anyone? If an alba form shows at some time, it could be stunning, as the refractive qualities of the floral parts would become much more obvious. Tulipa is a frustrating genus for many of us, myself included. The Dutch manage to produce more bulbs each year than people on the planet, yet they languish in most gardens after the second year! Clearly, they have quite a few enemies, such as larvae of various beetles, slugs, stray spades!, but their tendency to loose vigour and finally disappear altogether is frustrating. When I took over my garden, about 5 years ago, now, there was alot of clearing to be done. Under one of the diseased shrubberies, I found a clump of old tulips, just the leaves, mind you, along with some Narcissus. I left them, as I was certain they would disappear of their own accord. The next year, they were back and one actually bloomed! Over the last three years they have increased and the clump now produces a dozen blossoms. In other beds, where I had planted tulips, the scenario is more or less as expected, bloom and wither and nevermore. I decided there may be something about this one bed that favours tulips, so I planted about 50 parrot types 2 years ago and, yes, they are established and blooming abundantly! In hopes to analyze the situation, I've tried to decide what is special in this bed. It is old and relativley unprepared, higher than all other beds in the garden and has a lighter soil with a naturally excellent drainage. It receives about half a days hot sun in the summer, being shaded from early morning sun and then from late afternoon sun. I do throw a bit of fertilizer on it twice a year, mainly an acid sort, as there are Rhododendron and Hemerocallis growing here, as well! Does this make sense? The ground is on the alkaline side of neutral and the Rhodis do get a bit yellow, but they have been there for 30 years and survived. The fertilizer helps them. Apparently the tulips as well. One thing I do know, the tulips are planted quite deeply in this bed, at least 20 cm (8").