Hi Kathy, Galanthus are in the Amaryllis Family (Amaryllidaceae). All the plants in the Amaryllidaceae contain toxic, unpleasant tasting alkaloids, especially in the bulbs. So bulbs like Narcissus are almost immune to predation by voles, mice, squirrels, and gophers. The above-ground parts may not be so unpleasant tasting and they may be nibbled by rabbits or deer. Tell us where in the world you live, and we can suggest which species will do best in the ground and which in containers. For instance, here in central Indiana (USDA cold zone 5, AHS heat zone ca 6), I grow some in the ground and they love it (in the shade, not in full sun). However, I grow Galanthus reginae-olgae in a pot in the greenhouse, because it is likely to be tender outdoors in the ground. Best regards, Jim Shields At 07:34 AM 2/2/2004 -0800, you wrote: >........I have a question about pest resistance, though. Currently they >are in pots because I have a bad vole problem and because I wanted to keep >an eye on them until I know more about them. Are they unappealing to >voles, gophers, deer, or am I just providing dessert if I plant them in >the ground uncaged? > >Kathy Stokmanis ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA