I wanted to share with everyone a once-cherished Babiana ringens that grew wonderfully well for me in the alpine garden where I work. You can see images of the plant here: http://ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2005/… It was introduced to our cultivation in 1979, and for its last 10 years or so was outside, unprotected, where it withstood -12C/10F on at least a couple of winters. Then, in 2004, I moved it to our bulb frame. It continued on, blooming the following Spring. The next winter, squirrel(s) moved in, and it was no more. At least there's a picture! Brent Hine E.H. Lohbrunner Alpine Garden UBC Botanical Garden Vancouver, Canada Zone 7a, -17C/0F