Tropaeolum brachyceras began to bloom here today. I feel as if I have been promoted to a higher level of the gardening experience. The plant in question was received in September 2008 from Telos Rare Bulbs as a fat tuberous corm about the size of Bing cherry. It was planted soon after arrival into the soil of the most protected cold frame. It did not appear above ground during the fall 2008 –winter-spring 2009 period. Then, in late summer or early fall 2009 (a year after being planted) it produced above ground growth. This continued to develop throughout the winter. At one point the air temperature outside the cold frame dropped to 3 degrees above zero F. The Tropaeolum never showed any sign of cold damage. OK, I’ve done it, I’ve flowered a Chilean Tropaeolum. Yippee….. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7, where the first peonies of the year will probably open this week. 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/