>Those having trouble with this beautiful crocus should try giving it >some lime. >We all know that most dianthus are lime lovers that don't do well in acid >soils, and I'm pretty sure some bulbs are the same. Eranthis "cilicia" is an >example: it's a total failure unless you goose it with lime regularly. > >As the eranthis, quite possibly C. goulimyi. Dear Roger, This really cracked me up. My garden is loess/clay on limestone. My tap water regularly tests with a pH of 11 and a hardness you can knock on. Anything needing neutral -let alone acid- soils are a loss here. Good one. Jim Dianthus and Eranthis are no brainers here, too. -- 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 +