Dear Friends, As the spring bulb season seems to be peeking, a few observations and Qs. Muscari/Bellevalia - Although not my favorite genus, I grow a few. Bulbs purchased as M. paradoxa are in full bloom now. Very unique coloring and large size. I think this is now considered a Bellevalia. Fritillaria 'Ivory Bells'. I bought 2 bulbs last fall from a Dutch source. First introduced (I think) by Janis Ruksans a few years ago at $100 @, they have reached a reasonable price. I was leery about the 'ivory' quality of the flower color and now have my worst suspicions confirmed. Each bulb produced 2 husky flowering stems with dozens of large green bell shaped flowers. SA the flower fade they turn, not ivory, but paler green. Not my color, but interesting. Not very aware of Frit genetics, I casually dabbled pollen of F. pallidiflora on F' Ivorry Bells'. Any chance these might be compatible? F. pallidiflora does very well here in a fee shady spots and the pale flowers rather ghostly in the amongst the deep greens around it. Meanwhile two European species are showing off - if brown and green flowers can ever be called showy. F. acmopetala is growing at the base of an open shrub. The tall skinny stems are supported by the branches and it reaches well over 2 feet in height. Numerous juvenile offsets have broad oval foliage VERY unlike the adult linear foliage on flowering stems. Arum- various species are emerging now and I am curious why these are not more widely grown A. nigrum and A italicum 'Chameleon' are very different and my favorites. And a small plant of Helicodiceros muscivorous has popped up for 3rd or 4th year denying its reputation for tenderness. I doubt it will ever bloom in the ground, but that isn't so bad considering the stench that ensues. I have a few Dracunculus around and they'll provide plenty of aroma when they bloom. Aril-bred and oncocyclus iris are putting up flowering stems now as Junos in the same beds are fading away. Again I don't know why these desert iris species and numerous hybrids are not more widely grown. They do take some special care, but the distinctive and unique colors and patterns especially in earliest spring are dazzling. Another spring beauty is the various colors and forms of Anemone nemorosa and the closely related A. ranunculoides. Hard to beat the old A.n. 'Robinsoniana', but the hybrid of the two species is pale creamy yellow is also very nice. Some of the doubles are a bit weird, but none are overpowering so they stay put. One new cv (the name escapes me) has almost too large flowers; out of proportion. Otherwise this is a great spring ephemeral. I am sure I'll have more to relate as the season continues. best Jim W. ps A local garden center has pots of Rhodohypoxis bauri in various colors (none named). I bought one at $7 with maybe 50 bulbs just emerging with single bright pink flowers. What a show and a bargain. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +