I think your last statement is telling..."it might be freeing to just not worry about such matters any more and enjoy them as they succeed or fail in their new environment." However, I would place them far apart enough to separate and identify, when needed. Can you create a pleasant picture when everything is dormant? A rocky terrain with a dry riverbed or interesting view? Does that even matter? Your other issue may be creating hybrids where you want identifiable species. As you said, and I agree with, keeping some in pots and then, most definitely, placing some in the ground - all sound judgement. Regardless of beauty, too many plants like to romp a little too vigorously. It does sound like a fun project! Michael Interlaken, NY Z6 or so On Sun, Aug 28, 2022 at 5:26 PM John Wickham via pbs < pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > This idea freaks me out, but I need to consider it...I built a raised bed > for my bulb collection and am ready to plant. A friend recommend that I > should plant my bulb collection Free Range instead of in pots. They would > be grouped by type and requirements, but they would be free to wander as > they need and especially go as deep as they need. Highly productive bulbs > would still be in pots (I'm looking at you, Moraea polystachya). The > collection consists of California and South African bulbs. No Amaryllids, > all on the small side. > > So as a collector, this is freaking me out a little. I'd lose control over > identification in a dormant state. On the other hand, it might be freeing > to just not worry about such matters any more and enjoy them as they > succeed or fail in their new environment. > > Thoughts? > John WickhamLos Angeles, cA > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net > http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… > Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> > PBS Forum latest: > https://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbsforum/index.php/… > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> PBS Forum https://…