>Thank you Jim, I wonder what I am growing so successfully here then. > >Darlene >Auckland, New Zealand Dear Darlene, I would not be surprised if you are growing the cv x'Ehemanii as it is often sold as the species C. iridiflora. The cv is much easier to grow and tolerates a wide range of conditions unlike the species, but your climate may well be 'kind' to the real species. Actually, I don't recall ever seeing the real species in cultivation. Always turns out to be the hybrid. Best 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 +