Blooming now and 'Fly By'.... Dear Friends, We were sitting out on the deck for lunch in the just about 80 F weather. The deck is twenty feet from two blooming Dracunculus vulgaris, both at peak 'stick', but we were up wind. Apparently the smell also rises as first 1, then 2 and finally 4 turkey vultures made low 'fly overs'' . I am certain they were attracted to the scent or the activity. Fially they drifted off to the south. We have three other clumps that will be blooming soon and we do admire the large beautiful deep red spathes and darker spadices. Really wonders of nature and we feel fortunate that they are hardy here and bloom reliably (Zone 5/6). About 2 weeks ago we had two blooms on Helicodicerous musciverous an even more outlandish inflorescence and stinkier still. Some very late planted bulbs of Camassia 'Sacajewea' are coming into flower much MUCH after various other cvs. and species. I am a bit disappointed since these are advertised as highly variegated, but the variegation is of the short lived spring type. It is almost faded by the time of flowering. These were just planted late last year (end of season sale from Brent and Becky's) so we hope they'll perform better in a more normal season next spring. It is just the start of Crinum season here. Some 3 year old bubispemum seedlings are just putting up their first spikes. These receive no special winter care. Expect to see a range of red to pink shades. One of the parent plants is also sending up 4 spikes. Most will bloom more in summer than end of spring although the temps suggest otherwise. An array of hardy glads are starting too. I must dig out the excellent key to these mostly Italian species -communis, byzantinum and italicus and correct labels. We also have one labelled 'dubia' I think from a PBS Seed Ex and a couple other species and colors. Odd spring weather with many bulbs and other plants blooming way too early and in odd sequences and combinations. See if things calm down as summer progresses. 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 +