I was visiting in western Virginia last weekend; a friend and I had been discussing how fast this summer seems to be passing. And just then I noticed two or three Sternbergia lutea in bloom. I’ve been watching this planting for years and have never noticed such early bloom. These are two or three weeks earlier than usual. In the same town, there is a relatively massive planting (maybe 4’ x 25’) of this Sternbergia, but no blooms are evident yet in that group. There is so far no sign of bloom among the plants in the home garden. Nor do I see any signs of new growth above ground among the Nerine, Amaryllis belladonna or tender Lycoris in the cold frame. On the other hand, Rhodophiala bifida in the same cold frame has a spathe up at ground level. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7, where Cardiocrinum cordatum is developing a nice seed pod. My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/