Hi Tony, >>>>>>We have Chasmanthe bicolor ready to plant out in spring. Winter temps to -13C would be considered a mild winter here. I'm glad I live here and thank god for Gulf Stream. Long may it continue ? >>>>I often wonder if there we need to make higher elevation collections of many of these species to get better winter hardiness. It's a very good idea, however try and get some local knowledge. Higher altitude forms may be generally hardier, but higher altitude sometimes means thinner and free draining soils, and thus these bulbs may withstand a lot more frost but they might not withstand similar levels of moisture. Incidentally, I plant various Watsonia species at a depth of 12 inches here, I get them to grow as a clump first by potting on until they in a 12 inch clay pot. I then plant the contents making sure the corms are 12 inches deep. They are very successful and flower every year. However planting them this deep is a bit of a problem for a nurseryman wanting to dig and sell them. I never cut the foliage down, although I'd love to, there's just so much of it especially on the pillansii hybrids. I keep them looking good by snapping off the old brown leaves at the base. However please take care, old leaves and old scapes can be extremely sharp and as dangerous as Pampass or Bamboo. Large grouping and close planting of plants in established containers seems to work very well here, of course I don't get your temps but I think a lot of things are well worth a try, and so many plants are still as yet untested, or misunderstood. Good luck Tony. Best Wishes, Dave David Fenwick The African Garden 96 Wasdale Gardens Estover Plymouth Devon England PL6 8TW 01752 301402 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com/). Version: 6.0.544 / Virus Database: 338 - Release Date: 25/11/03