Jim is right about the hardiness of this hybrid. Growing up in Austin, Texas, back when it would get into the teens °F at least once every other winter on average, there were old, large beds of this that thrived and bloomed every spring. Even if the leaves burned back, the bulbs were fine. And they weren’t buried deep; the “noses” were just above the soil surface. I never saw it for sale in the nurseries however. --Lee Poulsen Pasadena, California, USA - USDA Zone 10a Latitude 34°N, Altitude 1150 ft/350 m > On Feb 23, 2016, at 2:18 PM, James Waddick <jwaddick@kc.rr.com> wrote: > > Dear PBS friends, > > I am surprised that no one has mentioned H. x. johnsonii. I have always read and considered this the hardiest species (actually an old hybrid). I have grown it here in my Zone 5/6 garden in the ground for years. It is planted quite deep (for a Hipp) and in not very protected spots. It is not a great bloomer or vigorous, but it does survive, grow and bloom. > > I recall seeing beds of this in Dallas where it was larger, more floriferous and beautiful. > > Have not seen this sold in local garden centers, but it is fairly common in Wichita KS garden centers where it is modestly priced. > > Best Jim W. > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/