Dear Jane; I find this topic fascinating. After a couple years success with A psitticina outdoors and then some of the U. Conn 'hardy' hybrids and a newly inspired sand bed, the thought of a dwarf Alstro that rows in sand is TOO tempting. Can you make any hardiness guess of things such as A. patagonica or A. pygmaea? OR actually any of the other species suited to sand or extremely good drainage and Zone 5/6? Thanks. You are amazing. Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +