Leo writes: "if you have trouble with Colchicum, you can probably grow saffron without too much trouble in well-drained soil." Yes saffron crocus grows well here. At least two other Crocus also grow well here, C. goulimyi and C. minimus. All those beautiful blue bulbs Jane mentions, I am tempted to try them but I expect some would only bloom the first year and then not return for lack of a cold winter or copious rainfall. There are so many blue-flowering bulbs from climates similar to here that I want to first give space to those, the climate-appropriate choices. Or, I wish I were that wise. As Dell knows, I do try to grow seeds from much colder, wetter climes in hopes that the genetic variation will include some survivors. - Gastil Santa Barbara, California 34.5 N latitude, 91 ft elevation, approximately zone 9b or 10a