Dear PBS friends, After a fairly mild winter, but a couple of nights down to -2, the first signs of spring are showing: Eranthis - dozens in bloom and many more just showing. Galanthus A few blooming, mostly G. ‘Don Hackenberry’ - usually not the first, but also just starting G. elwesii monostictus, G ’S. Arnott’and a few others. More to appear, I hope. Lycoris - various spring foliage species have up to 2 in of growth. Crocus- only Tommies are showing, but after pushing aside fallen leaves. Non-bulbous Hamemallis pallida, Chinese Witch Hazel is starting to open buds, but few fully open. Magnolia zenii -alwasy the first in the genus just swelling, but could be open by the end of the week. The down side is having to get serious about cleaning up fall residue, fallen branches from multiple winter wind storms and raking up old leaves. Forecast calls for more cold days, but enjoying almost a week of 60 +. Hope spring is appearing elsewhere, too. Jim W. _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/