Hardy Aloe, Moraea, and Dierama
J.E. Shields (Sat, 27 Nov 2004 09:19:03 PST)

Jim W. and all,

Now Jim, we expect nothing less from you than a healthy, critical approach
to science and plants.

However, the previously book clearly refers to the three species,
kniphofioides, modesta, and inconspicua, as having persistent underground
bulb-like structures atop the root. They even show a picture of them for
kniphofioides. They look like the bases of old leaves.

I cannot see any of even the hardiest species of Aloe surviving outdoors
here through a winter. That does not mean I won't try them if I get some
seeds, however! I definitely will.

Now Moraea: I have had MM. galpinii and huttonii survive the winter in the
ground here, but never to bloom. And they do not survive many winters in
the ground!

I have had several Dierama species survive at least a few winters outdoors
in the ground: DD. dracomontanum, latifolium, and mossii. Of these,
dracomontanum and latifolium even flowered once. They are at best
short-lived perennials here.

Regards,
Jim Shields
in rainy, cold central Indiana

*************************************************
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