At 07:50 7/10/03 +0100, you wrote: >>>>>survived at least as low as 25 degrees F (about minus 4 C) > >Jane, >Thanks for that, I'll plant mine outside this afternoon. Ixia viridiflora >has consistantly been one of those plants I love / hate to grow. It >survives, but doesn't do much, even after three years the corm is still no >bigger than a few millimeters. I for one didn't think it was that hardy, >anyway here goes. Will tell you how it does later. Dave et al, I responded privately to Mark after his request but given the other interest in it I thought I'd add to the discussion on the list. My Ixia viridiflora do just fine outside here in Canberra, Aus either in pots or in the ground. -8'C most years and do fine in both situations, so it does even colder than the -4'c Jane suggested (in case anyone was feeling that they may be borderline on it surviving for them. I have grown them for a number of years without any hassles, getting flwoers most years. I have been told that these bulbs are relatively short-lived and die out after a time, so keep seedlings coming along to replace. I have not yet had a die out however, now having grown them as mature flwoering plants for something around 5 years or so. I have also harvested seed from them a couple of times and have seedlings coming along. They are just SUCH a cool colour. Another interesting Ixia for those who are interested is 'Amethystina' which is a blue ixia rather than the aquamarine/green colour of viridiflora. The great thing about this variety is that it produces strong upright growth that can stand watering/rain on the flwoers without flopping. For me the main clump gets to around 4ft + high with a LOT of flowers per stem. It starts flowering as the viridifloras are finishing, and is coming to an end as the I. polystachya are starting.. so it nicely fills in the Ixia season. Well worth trying if you don't have it (and can get it of course, not knowing what is available in other countries than Australia). To me, whether in flower or growth, it adds some structure to the garden, sort of like a smaller version of Dierama foliage, very upright and stays that way instead of flopping like most of the Ixias seem to do. Cheers. Paul Tyerman Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9 mailto:ptyerman@ozemail.com.au Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Cyclamen, Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Oxalis, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!