Dear Nathan, Lycoris squamigera is a cold temperate bulb while Amaryllis belladonna is more Mediterranean in climate regards. These are of course generalizations and I do not know all California climates, but in general in areas where Lycoris squamigera is easy, Amaryllis belladonna is essentially impossible and vice versa. I do not know of any location where both grow and bloom equally well. Any one know otherwise with correct identifications? While Amaryllis is a small specialized genus, Lycoris has some 20 or so species including numerous adapted to mild climates, just not L. squamigera. Right now L. sanguinea from Japan is starting to bloom and initiate the Lycoris season. This species may also do well in milder climates. Of course the star of mild climates is L. radiata a bright red/scarlet flowering species from Japan. It survives and blooms in my climate, but shines in milder climates. Just can grow everything. Best Jim W. in Kansas City, MO On Jul 28, 2014, at 4:34 PM, Nathan Lange <plantsman@comcast.net> wrote: > > Is anyone successfully growing and flowering Lycoris squamigera in USDA hardiness zone 9 (average annual extreme minimum temperature of 20F, -7C)? I have never seen them in flower along the coast or in the interior valleys of California. The plants are often described by bulb vendors as suitable for areas as warm as zones 8 or 9 but I suspect the bulbs require too much vernalization (more than tulips) to flower in areas with warm winters. All the reported online sightings of this species flowering in California seem to be misidentified Amaryllis belladonna plants which are somewhat similar in appearance and flowering time. I was hoping to grow L. squamigera without refrigeration. > > Nathan > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ James Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd Kansas City, MO 64152-2711 USA Phone 816-746-1949