Ernie, have you ever used the New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Gardening (published by Greystone Press in 1960, edited by T.H. Everett)? I lived and breathed this set for a couple of years back then – it was the first really good, modern gardening book I knew. It formed the basis of my horticultural education. It was there that I learned that Crimum x powellii had successfully been grown at New York City. It was due to the influence of this set of books that I planted my first “Cape border” back then. Both Crinum x powellii and Amaryllis belladonna were some of the plants I used. If your Crinum really are C. x powellii, you should have no trouble with them if suitably sited near a wall. My Amaryllis belladonna grows in a cold frame placed right against the house wall. It’s rooted into the ground (i.e. it’s not in a pot). The bulb is near the surface, partially exposed. It has grown like a weed, but alas no bloom yet. I think I’ve seen hardiness ratings for Hesperaloë to zone 4 or 5 in the dry SW. How long have you had Seemannia ‘Evita’ outside? I’m falling hard for the borderline hardy gesneriads. I like your blog! Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone 7 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/