Dear All; I have read the reports with interest, but have a slightly different view from a northern grower who does not hybridize. My thoughts relate to hardy Crinum only. An established plant will consist of numerous bulbs - 12 to 20. Each mature bulb can put up to 4 stalks giving an old clump upwards of 30 to 50 or more stalks over weeks of bloom. Each stalk has up to 7 flowers that open over a week or more. With even a handful of hardy varieties, bloom has lasted (and continues, even now with 'Cecil Houdyshel' and 'Ellen Bousanquet') over much more than a month. What I see as a problem are flowers that do not open widely and face outwardly instead of half open and drooping. I like flowers with full wide petals or overlapping petals, not with narrow petals and wide spaces between. Colors could be brighter and deeper over a wider range of shades. I have a single C. scabrum hybrid that is hardy here, but it is slightly marginal without enough bloom for its size. The flowers are great with deep pink mid-lines on white petals like the true southern milk and wine lilies. Just not hardy or vigorous enough. How about true red, orange, peach, coral, salmon and picotees? And better fragrance is always a plus. Hardiness is an absolute requirement. I may be dreaming to get more of these qualities in any one plant, but I can dream, too. Best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +