Alberto Castillo a *crit : . All those Alliums from Mediterranean climate Central Asia demand cold. > Dear All, I would like to qualify this statement with a usefull generalisation. From a growing point of view the genus can be divided in three sections: 1 Mediterranean origin: A very extended growing period from end of summer until end of spring. Examples: A cowanii (syn neopolitanum), triquetrum, zebdanensis, flavum. Generally less hardy 2 Continental origin: Need a cold period to start the vegtative cycle. Growing period mid-winter to early-summer. hardy; majority of the genus: A giganteum, moly, karataviensis and many others 3 With rhizomatic storage organ. Almost evergreen summer-flowering (with a short winterdormant period): examples: A tuberosum, cernuum, schoenoprasum, senescens. Many more species can be added and several are intermediate and cannot be classified as definitely. But it is a useful indicator as how to use Allium species. Kind regards Lauw de Jager BULB'ARGENCE, 30300 Fourques, France Site: http://www.bulbargence.com/ Région: Provence/Camargue, Climat zone: 9a Mediterranean, dr y July-August, peak rainfall in autumn, minimum temps -3-7°C (28-21F) Reference vegetation: Arbutus unedo, Olea europeaea,