Jay, I am in Zone 8a/b and grow the Japonicum outside in the garden year round. My lowest temperatures drop to approx 15F each year. Temps are under 20F 4-7 times a year. When my Japonicum is hit with frost, I leave the melted leaves until the next year. It seems to provide some insulation. I have had 4 scapes already this year. You might consider limiting or eliminating nitrogen fertilizer as that can make leaves more tender. You might consider lifting the plant then amend the soil to include a 50% mixture of builder sand and see what happens. I successfully field grow many crinum hybrids and species without lift any of them in the winter. Al Sisk Zone 8b http://www.crinum.us/ -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jay Yourch Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 11:22 AM To: PBS List Subject: [pbs] Tender Crinum Mark, I've had Crinum asiaticum survive in the garden in Raleigh, NC (Zone 7b) for years, but they would get set back so far each winter that it made for very slow growth and no flowers. The only Crinum asiaticum hybrids successful in my climate also have Crinum bulbispermum in their ancestry, such as 'Twelve Apostles' and 'Sangria'. Regards, Jay