Hi all, The Crinum variabile are in bloom now. This is earlier than usual for them. Note that these are growing in the ground year-round here. These are in a raised bed of highly improved topsoil, about 15 feet from the south end of the big greenhouse. I have never been able to get these to bloom in containers. Since they seem perfectly hardy in the ground, it is very convenient to grow them that way, and the bloom like crazy in July or August. Various Crinum grow around the east and south sides of one of the older and smaller greenhouses. About to bloom again is Crinum 'Catherine', while a couple of pink 'J.C. Harvey'-like hybrids have been blooming for weeks. The various C. bulbispermum seem to have bloomed out after only 2 or 3 scapes apiece. All these are also in the ground. Growing right up against the east wall of this same greenhouse, a bunch of Zantedeschia 'Black Pearl' are in bloom now. Just in front of 'Black Pearl' is another hardy Gladiolus, probably volunteers of G. imbricatus from a dumped seed pot. I just collected a few seeds from this glad. Galtonia candicans is in bloom now too. Galtonia candicans is also hardy in the ground here, in selected beds. They don't like low-lying beds or clay soil! They are doing great in a raised bed made of composted leaves, topsoil, and coarse brown sand. Gladiolus oppositiflorus salmoneus is also hardy here in spots. They have not bloomed yet this summere. They are growing in the same bed as the Crinum variabile. Planted among the Galtonia, all the glads disappeared. I suspect that was due to mice more than to weather. Regards, Jim Shields in very hot central Indiana (USA) ************************************************* 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