Jim Shields wrote: > most Tulipa are a waste of time > and money [presumably in terms of Jim's climate in Indiana] Jim, how about the small species Tulips? In my experience the legions of fancy tulip cultivars are not very permanent in gardens here in the Northeast... they tend to fizzle out and don't naturalize, needing to be replaced in time. On the other hand, I am smitten with the species tulips, which are permanent and increase well from year to year, and reliably bloom. I've had a large clump of Tulipa tarda for nearly 10 years, and it looks terrific each year. Judging from the fresh sprouting growth, this year's display will be as rewarding previous years. My climate here in northern Massachusetts must be akin to your climate in Indiana, hot and humid as Hades in summer, dang cold in winter. Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States "New England", near New Hampshire USDA Zone 5 ======================================= antennaria@aol.com website: http://www.plantbuzz.com/ alliums, bulbs, penstemons, hardy hibiscus, western american alpines, iris, plants of all types!