Howdy All, I really am not sure what all the fuss about frost and Scilla natalensis is? They won't take a LOT of frost, but they'll certianly take down to -6 or -8'C which is definitely frost, but is not frozen ground (and I think that may be the difference). They grow fine here in Canberra. I was interested to read that the bulb should be on the surface of the ground though as I did not know that. Maybe the fact that around here they are usually at ground level or below, rather than fully exposed may help a bit with frost? From observations here.... they do not like being disturbed and if they are then they will not flower for a time until they have settled in. I have only recently received a couple from a friend, but I had them when growing up and they rarely ever flwoered, perhaps because they were watered as well in summer as winter. I do not know of these ever rotting for any reason though!! The way these grew with year around watering.... rot was certainly not a problem. I find these guys are an "interesting" bulb, but I'd definitely rather grow the Scilla peruviana which is far more apt to flower every year very well. We shall see how I go with regards to establishing the natalensis though and see how long it will take to settle in properly. Friends down the road grow these and flower them madly every year, but their garden is left to it's own devices in summer, which gives them a good solid bake and quite dry in summer, and they reward this neglect with flowers every year profusely. Their bulbs have naturalised for a number of years now and they have kept themselves underground, rather than rising to the surface, so it obviously isn't an absolute requirement for the bulbs to be at or on the soil surface. I hope this is helpful. Cheers. Paul Tyerman Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9 mailto:ptyerman@ozemail.com.au Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Cyclamen, Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!