I've now done this in the Chicago area with C. bulbispermum, Ellen Bosanquet and unknown I got off of eBaya . They have survived 3 years outdoors, no mulch; planted at 24" from the foundation of my house which has a basement. They've not yet bloomed, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it one fo these days. We have had as much as 2 weeks of zero or single digit days in one of those years. The below ground temperature where they're planted ( 1 foot down), I'm sure stays sufficiently warm even tough it appears to be frozen for months. They are upand growing at this time, about 2 feet tall along with the two lower-growing Eucomis and mixed unknown Zantedeschia hybrids growing at 20" from the house all of which have now been grown outdoors for 3 years. Jim Waddick is warmer than I by about an average of 10° and that much ahead of me (two weeks?) in terms of growth and release from dormancy. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kelly Irvin" <kellso@irvincentral.com> To: "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 6:37 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] Crinum in MO > Until this winter, I wasn't sure, but I can heartily [or hardyly ;-)] > agree with Mr. Jimbo, a.k.a. Dr. Waddick! > > Mr. Kelly M. Irvin > 10850 Hodge Ln > Gravette, AR 72736 > USA > 479-787-9958 > USDA Cold Hardiness Zone 6a/b > > http://www.irvincentral.com/ > > > On 6/4/10 12:43 AM, James Waddick wrote: >> Dear Friends, >> I live in Zone 5/6. We have really cold winters and really >> not summers. Most garden visitors are surprised to see all the Crinum >> I grow. They have started to bloom seriously now - in the ground !! >> Most are cvs of C. x powellii and C. bulbispermum and these are still >> the very best for here, but there are a few others that expand the >> color and form. >> >> Even when they are not blooming the foliage is amazing with >> individual leaves up to 6 ft long and mounds 6-8 ft across and almost >> 3 ft high. Giant exotic, 'tropical' plants. >> >> If you think you are in too cold a climate, think again. >> >> Nothing like them this time of year. I just got around to >> planting some more seedlings from MArcell Sheppard's 'Jumbo' >> selections. Exciting stuff. >> >> Just try them. Best Jim W. >> > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/