Since this has expanded to seed sources, I'll add some comments to my previous remarks. Regarding bulbs, do check out Potterton & Martin -- their bulbs are excellent and prices are reasonable. Also in England, Monocot Nursery has both bulbs and seeds, including many North African species not otherwise available; however, be aware that the names often reflect "splitting" preferences at odds with other experts' current views. My orders from Monocot tend to arrive late in the fall, but I haven't lost many plants as a result, though I do coddle them a bit more. Do NOT avoid seed exchanges. True, you get some mislabeled seeds, but they are very cheap! The safest to order from now is the NARGS seed exchange, because they list the donors of seed (except when more than 3 donors send in the same species). You therefore can check the included list of numbered donors and see who sent in the seed in which you are interested. If it is someone whose judgment you trust, you will feel more confident in ordering. The new computerized system they are using even lists the donor names on the packets themselves; my order this year read like a "who's who" of the bulb world and I felt privileged as I sowed the seeds. Also, check through the "wild-collected" sections of the exchanges, where you will find many plants identified only to genus. By looking at place, collector, and genus, you can sometimes deduce which may be interesting items. And just as important, DONATE to seed exchanges. Once in a while, grit your teeth and send in something you'd rather keep for your 5 best friends. True, it may end up in the hands of a complete idiot who will kill it, but just as likely it may end up in the hands of a terrific grower who is just building a collection and doesn't have a wide acquaintance in the gardening world yet. We all have to start somewhere. Remember (as I used to write in the NARGS seedlist), this isn't broccoli seed. If some of it doesn't germinate, that is to be expected and accepted. If state-sponsored gambling is a "stupidity tax," then seed growing includes a "cupidity tax." The seed collectors and growers are mostly doing their utmost for us, and we can't expect every seed to germinate. Some botanic gardens have excellent seed lists, but some are miserable, full of weeds and garbage processed by naive volunteers. Almost all of them deserve our financial and volunteer support, though. Sending wild-collected seed of unusual plants, especially from little-visited regions, to overseas BG's can sometimes get you on a select list, but inquire first whether they want the seed. I agree that Euroseeds and Karmic Exotix are excellent eastern European sources (KE is actually in Canada, so no problems with payment), and would add Josef Halda and Josef Jurasek (haven't seen the latter's list lately) to this top rank. Another is CKS, not quite of equal quality but I've received a few good things from him. Aleksandra Berkutenko in Siberia sells seed, too, mostly from Sakhalin Island. With all these suppliers, remember that the nomenclature reflects Soviet-era floras that use some different genus names, so that familiar plants may be listed under unfamiliar names. The Archibalds' list, from which I almost always order and get many good items, includes both wild-collected and garden-grown seed, the latter marked with an asterisk. So far I haven't noticed much confusion or likely hybridization in the latter. Well, the sun is out, so have to quite typing. Jane McGary NW Oregon