Yesterday I toured my yard, and was pleased to see Gladiolus tristis, which I purchased last year from Telos Rare Bulbs, coming into flower. The flowers are white, with green stripes on the outside of the tepals; 1-2 per stem this year, perhaps more in coming years. Very nice. Now we'll see if the bed they grow in, which gets no water, is dry enough for them to thrive. Last winter was upper zone 7, so I am also impressed with hardiness. If by chance they set seed, I'll save it for the seed exchange. Kathleen On Willapa Bay, where it's sunny and warm (mid 60s F), for a change, and the shorebirds have departed for the Arctic.