Greetings All, I have recently become very interested in the geophytes and am eager to learn all I can and grow many. I got a bit carried away this autumn ordering bulbs to plant around the house at my new job. I'm on Martha's Vineyard (USDA zone 6B), which is basically a gigantic, sandy-gravel moraine with most of the soil being free-draining and very acidic (pH just below 5!). If anyone has any recommendations for what kinds of bulbs will do well here, I'd like to hear. Some of the genera I am particularly fascinated by are /Fritillaria/, /Chionodoxa/, /Scilla/, /Haemanthus/, /Crocus/, /Colchicum/, /Agapanthus/, as well as several others. Sadly, as with many other parts of New England, we have a real proble with an abundance of deer on the island. Next month I am going with a small group of people on a botanical foray to the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. I'm hoping to see some geophytes there...does anyone know which ones I should look for? There seems to be a paucity of references dealing with the flora of that specific region. It good to be part of this group. Let me know if any of you ever head this way - I'd be glad to give you a tour of the Polly Hill Arboretum. Many thanks, John Manion -- John T. Manion Director of Education/Collections Manager The Polly Hill Arboretum PO Box 561, West Tisbury, MA 02575 Phone (508) 693-9426 FAX (508) 693-5772 http://www.pollyhillarboretum.org/