Most of my life has been spent in regions with fierce, cold winters. I love the zone I live in now but I still experienced serious flower envy when Mary Sue listed her plants in bloom, so I spent the past few days reviewing Ian Young's bulb log on the Scottish Rock Garden Society site. Having the commentary with the pictures added to the experience since he frequently addressed cultivation issues, a big concern for this amateur. I have seen many of the pictures on the wiki but not all and will have to spend some time there. Kathy Stokmanis zone 8?, mild wet winters, very long hot dry summers. The first of my spring crocus will open up today since it's sunny for the first time in days.