I've never had a problem with Fritillaria raddeana emerging in the way Jim describes. (Fritillaria alburyana does, though, much to my disappointment.) I would not put any mulch over emerging buds, because then they will just rot. You could, however, make a little tent with conifer boughs above them. Moderate freezing temperature at this stage will not damage these hardy plants. Mine were just emerging during two recent cold snaps, during one of which the temperature did not rise above freezing for 8 days. They are, however, under cover in my bulb house, where the foliage isn't getting wet. I'm pleased right now to see F. raddeana and other early species in the bulb house, because last year an infestation of cutworms (moth larvae) destroyed most of their above-ground growth. Application of Thuricide (Bacillus thuringensis, Bt) seems to have cleared out the pests, and possibly the new formula of Sluggo (iron phosphate slug bait) containing spinosab helped too. Apparently the fritillaria bulbs were not harmed, as healthy foliage is apparent. I haven't planted any very early fritillarias in the open garden because the rain spoils the flowers. Also, I think most of the early ones do best with a dry summer dormancy, e.g. Ff. raddeana, persica, imperialis, stenanthera, sewertzowii, striata, pluriflora. There are some species that produce leaves well before they flower, such as Fritillaria agrestis from California; it is also a dry-summer denizen. Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA On 2/18/2017 9:35 AM, Jim McKenney wrote: > Fritillaria raddeana is up and it's much too soon. In my experience, this species always emerges flower buds first. I checked the site the other day and there they were, two fat clusters of yellow buds at ground level. With at least a full month of wild temperature swings ahead of us, including periods when the day temperatures might not rise above freezing, I'm wondering what, if anything I should do.The plants are in the open ground under what amount to field conditions. Plenty of mulch is on hand to cover them.Any suggestions? Jim McKenneyMontgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where in a sense we're still waiting for winter to arrive. > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/