Lauw de Jager mentions Allium cowanii, and A. subhirsutum. Yet he does not mention Allium neapolitanum. I've read that much, maybe all, of the material commonly sold as Allium neapolitanum is in fact A. subhirsutum or other species. What say our onion experts about this? Here in zone 7, I've had trouble keeping stock received under the names A. cowanii and A. neapolitanum. Are they known to be winter hardy in areas colder than zone 7? They both are very beautiful when in bloom, very delicate and graceful, nothing like the big border ornamental onions which always bring to mind the expression "rude good health". Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where the first wood thrush of the year is in the area and calling. My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/