Jane,
The Princess lilies ('Zsa Zsa' and 'Paola') are hardy
here in OH. When I said that I left something off my
report, these were it.
I planted 2 pots (that were divided into 4 plants at
the time of planting) 2 years ago.
They are up again this year.
I will wait until my last day or so here before I pull
all the foliage off. I've found that pulling the
non-blooming foliage off in the spring helps force the
blooming stems for the summer.
Mine are planted on a gentle slope facing north but it
is in full sun all day. The sun just came up and they
are already getting a direct hit.
The soil is pretty heavy clay with a compost top (from
a few years of mulch).
I tried 'Sweet Laura' a few years ago but it got
rather pushed out from the encroaching sweet woodruff.
I want to try a few more varieties this year but as
you said, $12 to $20 a pop, it is rather discouraging.
Not that I haven't spent that before, heck I've spent
$36 for 3 gal lantana for the patio only to be frozen
in the winter (it bloomed all summer though).
John Ingram in L.A., CA.
http://www.floralarchitecture.com/ "Your Clivia Connection"
john@floralarchitecture.com
310.709.1613 (cell, west coast time, please call accordingly. Thank you)