Dennis: Fascinating. Any idea of the minimum lows without snow during that time? Tony Avent Plant Delights Nursery @ Juniper Level Botanic Garden 9241 Sauls Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27603 USA Minimum Winter Temps 0-5 F Maximum Summer Temps 95-105F USDA Hardiness Zone 7b email tony@plantdelights.com website http://www.plantdelights.com/ phone 919 772-4794 fax 919 772-4752 "I consider every plant hardy until I have killed it myself...at least three times" - Avent -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Dennis Kramb Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 3:54 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: Re: [pbs] Iris lazica I've grown Iris cretensis (aka: Iris unguiculares ssp cretensis) in the ground in southwestern Ohio for about 9 years. It has dwindled recently due to competition from other perennials, but it's delightful when it's warm enough to bloom on Christmas Day and New Years day. No other iris I've grown comes close to blooming that time of year. The big flush comes in March. Bill Shearer of Virginia taught me it was cold hardy about 10 years ago, and I've been delighted ever since. I should note that my clumps are within a few feet of the house... so they are getting some added protection from that. Dennis in Cincy (Zone 6-ish)