Dear all; Because commercial Lycoris are almost routinely mishandled (dug early, dried and stored too long) they enter the garden stressed. Bulbs can take up to 3 years or more to recover and bloom properly. I'd guess that it is more common to have some stress than not from most suppliers. As for hardiness in Southern Zones. There are two distinct sub-genera in the genus. The group that includes L. squamigera has spring foliage and comes from more northern locations and does no do well in the south. The second group which includes L. radiata and has foliage that appears in the fall does best in southern locations. L. aurea(the true species which is not as common as some substitutes) does not much like frost of any sort. It naturally occurs in and near tropical regions of S. Asia. Thus do not grow northern species in the south-they hate it. Grow warm climate species and have regular good bloom in the south. 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 +