Matt asked, My second advice ( or third!) request is a Peony issue - Paeonia >californica. I received a seedling from John Lonsdale, and he told me to >keep it protected in the cold greenhouse during our cold winters.. I am >quite unfamiliar with this plant, so any advice on what I should expect and >do with it would be appreciated! Plunge it? Large pot? Soil? Dormancy? This is essentially the same as P. brownii but from a more southerly range, so probably less cold-hardy. I had P, californica on the rock garden for about 5 years, and it survived temperatures in the single digits Fahrenheit, but did not flourish. I suggest you keep your seedling in a pot of moderate size over the coming winter, and pay attention to the fall issue of the Rock Garden Quarterly, which will contain an article by Paige Woodward on P. brownii and P. californica. Incidentally, and this is a real shot in the dark, I'm searching for someone to contribute something (short or long) on small ferns of Australia and New Zealand for that same issue. Do any of our readers in the Antipodes have suggestions? Jane McGary Editor, NARGS