Fritillaria stenanthera opened a first flower yesterday in one of the cold frames. The frame in question is out in the open, not in a protected place. Other frits above ground now but not yet in bloom include F. raddeana, F. bucharica, F. striata, F. biflora, F. liliacea and F. verticillata. The frit season seems to be off to a good start. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where Gymnospermium altaicum has foliage up. 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/