and the climate / conditions where the bulbs are being grown, even Mediterranean bulbs can desiccate if kept too hot and dry for too long a period. I am sure that there are also Mediterranean geophytes which are adapted to cooler conditions where cover from hot sun would be desirable, and others for which protection from Summer rain or irrigation might be desirable. Another issue here is the idea of mixing summer growing plants such as Dahlias (which might want a lot of moisture) with Summer dormant species. If anyone tried to irrigate my Rhinopetalums, or small Junos in Summer, in order to over plant them with Dahlias, I would not be pleased! However SMALL succulents, Dianthus, Asters, Armeria, Saxifrages, Mediterranean herbs adapted to dry Summer conditions would be fine. Was the original question not asking for suggestions for WINTER interest in a garden irrigated and planted for a few tolerant winter growing plants but mainly Summer growing genera? Peter (UK) On Sun, Apr 15, 2012 at 9:47 PM, Randall P. Linke <randysgarden@gmail.com>wrote: > > > -----Original Message-----Among the many wise things he had to say was > > advice NOT to plant ground covers over Mediterranean bulbs, as they kept > > the > > soil cool and interfered with the bulbs' summer ripening > > I suspect a lot might depend on the species being covered. I have yet to > encounter a problem with ground covers, but obviously my plantings have not > been exhaustive. >