Hi Linda, My zone would be 6 or 7. Temps rarely get below zero, but usually drop into the single digits at least a couple of times per winter (this winter has been mild, the lowest temps were maybe around 10F briefly). It does get colder rather quickly as one moves north of here. This winter has been rainy with brief cold spells, right now it is pouring outside. Albuca shawii emerges fairly late, so the biggest danger to it around here is me digging them up while planting other things. As an indicator of this winters mildness, there are still a few green leaves at the ends of the branches on an Artemesia afra. Usually it dies back and resprouts from a few inches of stems at the base each year. I also imagine that the figs in the neighborhood did not die back this winter, as they will during a bad winter (like three years ago, I think), but it will be some time before they leaf out. Spring is beginning, with eranthis, iris reticulata, and crocus in bloom. A daffodil planted against a wall in my school garden in Chappaqua is about to open, rather earlier than others in the area. Also against the wall small seedlings of the South African tree Leucosidea sericea are still in full leaf, it is remarkably hardy for a woody SA plant. Ernie **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/…)