Hi, i enjoy the early, often snow covered Crocus imperati 'De Jager' Like Jim and many others, I could not be without Ruby Giant. Others that do well for me in Greensboro, NC (Z7) are Cream Beauty and Lady Killer both of which bloom with my Cyclamen coum and Galanthus elwesii and nivalis. I have also let Eranthis hyemalis invade these beds and agree that while they are a great and reliable early flowering plant, the foliage overpowers the other shorter companions. James