Crocus banaticus is long gone, but my Galanthus reginae-olgae are just coming up. Odd that there should be a gap of more than a month between my plants, and synchronous flowering in yours. Cyclamen cilicium, intaminatum and one big clump of out-of-season hederifolium are blooming, and colour is showing in emerging buds of coum. There are masses of the bright pink Nerine bowdenii in many gardens, but not in mine this year. Last year a huge tree and some smaller ones were blown down so this summer the nerine area got more sun than usual. However, for the first time in over 30 years, not a single flower emerged. Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate mild rainy winters, mild dry summers