here in Massachusetts zone 5, the martagons are blooming as well. They were planted only last year, on a steep slope for drainage. The dirt is nothing special, neither mostly sand nor mostly clay, but it does not much resemble potting soil. The bed is mulched. There are other kinds of lilies planted there as well, some with buds. This Spring I found two red lily beetles and mushed them. The slope is planted with things that can pretty much take care of themselves, Siberian iris, Hemerocallis, Alcea, because I am lazy and because other parts of the garden do need my attention. We had a total tulip crop failure after this weird winter. My giant 100-year-old American Pillar rose died, to my despair, but the miracle is that it is returning from its roots, so it didn't die after all but suffered the kind of botanic resurrection one could base a religion on. I don't know whether this forum is at all interested in the giant bugbanes, but they have enormous roots, the biggest roots of anything in my garden. They dream of world domination. The grandson transplanted some, with great success. He has strong shoulders and a sharp spade. I was wondering whether anybody could recommend a good book on what plants look good together. My problem is that I like so many kinds of plants that I think they all look good. There is a level beyond this. Jane Sargent _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…