Lycoris squamigera, which I think of as the flagship of the local oporanthous flora, is blooming now in the greater Washington, D.C. area. Not only are they blooming in my garden, but several friends in nearby northern Virginia have reported bloom. As is usual, plants growing in the shade are blooming before plants growing in sunny spots. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7, where I might have an exciting Cardiocrinum story for you soon. 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/