In a message dated 2/6/2004 11:12:55 AM Central Standard Time, IntarsiaCo@aol.com writes: > Some pots of Lachenalia in that corner have turned to mush but others seem > to > have survived. Hi, I've finally concluded that Lachenalia must be quite variable, even within a single species, with respect to cold hardiness. And, there must be a lot of variation between species. Such variation could make sense if plants grow over a large altitudinal variations, such as near the seashore and high up into the mountains (1,500 meters). There are a whole lot of places in the Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces that are high elevation areas. There is no doubt that some plants can't take more than a few degrees of frost for any period of time (maybe most?). There are too many reports from members of this list and elsewhere, so it is clear that many Lachenalia are sensitive to frost. Yet, Silverhill seeds is quite confident that the Lachenalia species they offer will endure temperatures to 20 F, or lower. They rate them zone 8 hardy, and are clear and confident in their ratings if you email them. Perhaps Silverhill has taken time to get seeds from higher elevation materials? I do trust their general evaluation of their materials. Additionally, some members of this list have reported Lachenalia surviving (maybe not liking it) down to 20 F, outdoors in the ground. One email correspondent reported plants surviving to near 10 F, and resprouting. And, of course, recent reports here on this list show that some Lachenalia can take a fair bit of frost, perhaps even frozen soil. I tried to find information on the genus and found some information that it is very widespread for a South African genus, but it is most often found in the winter rainfall regions. That would put members of the genus in the general area of Sutherland, Northern Cape (elevation 4744 ft.) and Springbok, Northern Cape (elevation 3600 ft). It would also put members of the genus in many areas much closer to sea level. Cordially,