Dear Paul & Jim, Urginea maritima, in spite of the specific name with means "from the sea" grows usually inland where lows of -5-8°C are normal every winter, as well as short but regular snowfalls, with snow that can melt after some days and these don't cause any damage at all. It grows also on the sea and it is likely these populations are more frost tender. The inland form developes huge bulbs, up to 30cm usually with few offstes and this is probably the strain Lauw De Jager lists as 'red squill' in his site, referring to a form with reddish tunics and larger bulbs. I was also surprised to read in T.Howard's book that this species needs frost protection in Texas, considering that in the Mediterranean climate frosts occour during the moist months. best regards Angelo Porcelli Italy