I've heared from several sources now that O. Umbellatum has a really bad reputation - i can't confirm invasiveness, in fact it disappeared in my fathers lawn about 5-6 years after appearing, both without deliberate action from our side. maybe it's our loam/clay, it should behave differently on turf/peat (I'm a bit unsure about wording, since online dictionaries lack sensitivity for a gardeners understanding of soil). Even though our soil is totally different, I can confirm that Crocus Tommasianus and C. Chrysanthus and, rarely, C. Vernus naturalize around here. I've planted Crocus Sieberi last fall, so no data on how well they naturalize, but I'm hopefull. Besides that, Eranthis Hyemalis, Galanthus Nivalis, Chinodoxa Forbesii (?), Scilla Sibirica, Leucojum Vernum and a few Muscari complete the early spring setup. Second phase is more difficult: for me, most daffodils fade away if planted between grasses, only a hand full of 'Rip van Winkle' keep their ground. If you count them as 'bulbs', I have found that Corydalis Cava naturalize well - no wonder, as they're native around here. Allium Ursinum colonizes places with more shadow, while Allium Schoenoprasum likes sun. up to now, I haven't really tried to expand the flowering time of bulbs in the grass: Ixia die away in about 3 years in my normal flower beds, so no chance to get them into a bulb meadow. I have yet to try any european gladiolus, and I've lost quite some Crocosmia if I left them in the garden in winter. Maybe I should try Liatris? Camassia? any more ideas for rather heavy soil in Zone 7? I've seen Colchicum Autumnale in meadows around here, so maybe I should give them a try. Closing in on the topic from the other side: as I'm not a big fan of grass, I've replaced a piece of lawn with mixed varieties of Thyme. I've yet to see how well the bulbs beneath this will deal with the competition, but I doubt that Thyme is worse than most grasses. I'll keep you informed on how it works out. Martin Baden Würtemberg, Germany Am 09.08.2015 um 19:55 schrieb Jane McGary: > > You have to search out the Ornithogalum species that aren't readily > available to avoid the pests (the main pest is Ornithogalum > umbellatum, Star of Bethlehem). > > Jane McGary > Portland, Oregon, USA > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/