Where does Central Texas fit into the Mediterranean climate scenario? We have summer days usually always 90 - 100 F, with nights not dropping below 80 - 82F most of the time (which curtails the survival of plants such as pelargoniums). Rainfall in the summer is scattered, but sometimes there will be periods of drizzle/rain for a week or more, which is very rough on rosemary, lavender, lemon verbena, succulents, aloes, yuccas, which can rot under these circumstances. Species gladiolus are also vulnerable to these irregular wet spells. When this does not occur, and watering can be done on a controlled basis, everything is fine. Another 'climactic change' has occurred in my area because almost every home has an irrigation system, which sometimes is too thoroughly wetting flower beds on a continual basis. Rainlilies, in particular, are not triggered to have 'bursts' of bloom under these conditions. It appears that bulbs such as Scilla peruviana have to be lifted in June and not replanted until late fall. The extreme heat of summer must blast the developing flower buds. Hippeastrums can live outdoors successfully in all but the worst winters (dropping to 8F on one occasion, which killed everything in above-ground containers, and froze bulbs down to the basal place that were in the ground. Who could let me know if Central Texas can be included in the concept of 'Mediterranean gardens?' >>> msittner@mcn.org 03/17/03 01:50PM >>> Dear All, The topic for the next two weeks is Bulbs for Mediterranean Gardens. I hope everyone who lives in a Mediterranean climate will tell us a little about their specific microclimate and then the geophytes that do really well, blooming reliably each year, that can be planted in the ground and left. California's Mediterranean climate is divided into three subdivisions: Csa. Climate with hot summers, the highest monthly temperature averaging over 72 degress F. (22 degrees C.) that includes what we can the Valley (Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno) and Los Angeles Csb. Climate with moderate to warm summers, the highest monthly temperature averaging below 72 degrees F. (22 degrees C.) and including Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara, and Long Beach Csc. Coastal areas that have cool summers with frequent fogs like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Monterey and Eureka We have members from all three of these subdivisions and we have people from western Australia and other areas of Australia with this climate and people from the Mediterranean basin. Rachel is out collecting so we won't hear from her. So please tell us what works for you and give others ideas of new things to try in their gardens. Although my rainfall is a higher than the criteria listed, otherwise I fit and since I live on the first ridge, just a couple of miles away close to sea level, the 15 year rainfall averages are within the norm and 20 inches (7.8cm.) lower than my rainfall. So later in the week when I catch my breath I will share about what grows happily for me with little attention in the ground. Jerry mentioned when I announced this topic that some of the areas of the Pacific Northwest had a Mediterranean climate. Much of the Pacific Northwest is much colder in winter and some of it wetter and there are areas I believe that do get rain in summer. But if you live in Washington, Oregon, or BC and didn't tell us about what grows for you when we discussed Bulbs for the Pacific Northwest and your microclimate has a Medit pattern feel free to share. The same goes for anyone else who feels their garden fits the pattern. Mary Sue PBS List Administrator and TOW Coordinator Mary Sue Ittner California's North Coast Wet mild winters with occasional frost Dry mild summers _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php