> >5. Has anyone attempted to hybridize small, showy species (particularly A. >hookeri) with an eye toward creating a low-growing, heavy-flowering group >of cultivars for garden borders? Jane, I am not aware of whether these are unique to Australia or not, but we have a whole range of "Dwarf" Alstroemerias available over here. There must be at least a dozen different varieties now (not including duplicates sold under different names by different suppliers!). The dwarf varieties range from around 6-8 inches tall up to a bit under 2 feet...... they're most definitely dwarf when compared to the old favourites like 'Yellow King', 'Red Fury', 'Reginae' etc (I think I have seen these mentioned by overseas people which is why I am fairly certain they aren't just Aussie ones). I do not have any idea of how these dwarf varieties were bred though..... just that they range in colour from almost white through yellow, a range of different pinks and red-pinks etc. Some have distinct flashes of other colour, while I recently bought one that is supposed to only grow to 2 feet tall that is probably the most purple I have seen of any Alstroemeria. If I can get any more information for you then please let me know. I have sent to the list in case it interests others. I grow all of mine in large self-watering tubs. They like the extra water, and it controls them so they don't take over the world. The only problem is that the tubers all end up right at the bottom of the pots and are almost impossible to lift out without repotting the whole thing. I promised one to Roy Sachs a few years ago but I have yet to successfully get a piece out of the pot, and I have not been well enough to go through upending the whole tub to get one out... and they're basically evergreen so I don't want to break off the flowers! LOL I just can't win! The dwarfs definitely do put on a wonderful display though, and much easier to enjoy as they are packed in together instead of waving around on long stems getting in the way! Cheers. Paul Tyerman Canberra, Australia. USDA equivalent - Zone 8/9 Growing.... Galanthus, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, Trilliums, Cyclamen, Crocus, Cyrtanthus, Oxalis, Liliums, Hellebores, Aroids, Irises plus just about anything else that doesn't move!!!!!