There have been a couple of mentions of Frit imperialis as being difficult to grow. The top of the hill where I live has a couple of gravel pits. The bottom has outflows from a nearby lake, so the bottom supports many plants that won't grow at the top. Pierre Timp's display bulb garden used to be there. All through the bulb season, visitors would wander the paths, order form and pencil in hand. Then in the fall, the bulbs we'd ordered would arrive from Holland. The skunky odour of the frit would drift along the path and meet us before we could see the spectacular clumps of flowers. Nonetheless, I did buy some of each colour - red, orange, and yellow. I read that one had to plant them sideways so they wouldn't rot, so I followed instructions. I did see leaves the first year, but I never had flowers, and not even leaves in subsequent years. I don't know whether Mr. Timp replaced his bulbs each year, or whether they thrived in his damp garden. Does anyone have success with them? Diane Whitehead Victoria, British Columbia, Canada maritime zone 8, cool Mediterranean climate mild rainy winters, mild dry summers