>I see a lot of interest from our eastern North American members in >Lycoris, but I have never been able to keep it here in the Cascade >foothills, .... Am I correct in thinking that if you can grow Crinum >well, you have a chance with Lycoris? If there is a similarity in >their requirements, I might try Lycoris again -- though I don't >think I want to use the space for Crinum. Dear Jane , An interesting Q, but I think this is unrelated. Although both have species are tolerant of some similar climates, both have unique characters that equally prevent their 'co-habitating'. Lycoris species comprise 2 distinct sub genera- those with spring foliage (mostly) like L. squamigera, longituba etc are from Continental parts of China and most experience some freezing temps during 'cold' winters and hot dry-ish summers. The second group including L. radiata and L aurea are from more southern ares of Japan and coastal Asia. The foliage appears in fall and winters over in milder temps and have more continuous rainfall patterns. There are fewer climatic extremes. This means that while I can grow the fall foliage plants just fine, the southern group is a challenge to flat-out impossible. I do grow L. radiata, but it is not a good bloomer due to continual winter damage to foliage and L. houdyshelii which also rarely blooms. Both persist. On the gulf coast of the US L. radiata is vigorous common and a reliable bloomer. I think your best test of whether you can grow any Lycoris in your new location is to ask close neighbors if they can grow L. squamigera or L. radiata as these are essentially 'key' species in regard to survivability. Or drive around and see if any are in bloom - squamigera now - radiata in a few weeks. Lycoris do not require a summer baking, but tolerate it. Right now L. squamigera is coming up through hard baked hot soil (100 F plus for days). Even in full sun. I am sure it would bloom better in more evenly damp soil and half a day's shade or more. Some bulbs in shade are actually blooming better than those in more sun. When we get a (cooling? ) rain, more stalks should pop up. The same is true for the 20 or so species and hybrids most all of which grow well and produce spring foliage. Crinums are a whole other story. I can parrot Jim S's experience (except I don't grow C. variable). The vast majority of Crinums are ill suited to growing outdoors in our climates. Now the exception. I have seen various species of fall-foliage Lycoris growing and blooming in Central Hunan and Jiangsu Province which are both Zone 8 - give or take. We all know not all zone 8s are equal. But Hunan and Jiangsu have much milder temps than I do. Depending how adventurous you are, get a few bulbs of L. radiata and L. squamigera this fall. Plant them in sites that do not dry out and in half sun. See what blooms. Lycoris 'resent' pots and moving. They routinely take 2 or 3 years to recover and bloom. I am sure I have told this before, but one year I planted 25 bulbs of L. chinensis sort of late in the season and all had no roots ( a condition Lycoris hate!). The first spring only 3 came up and bloomed, the second spring about 20 came up and bloomed, and in the third spring all 25 came up and bloomed a few with multiple bloom stalks. Patience. But do try some of the smaller crinum. You should be able to grow quite a few in your new milder location. Best wishes and good luck with the move. Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +