Assuming I'm on the same page and these are Lycoris then they are summer dormant so now is the time to plant. They flower in the fall and then grow leaves after that so you can see leaves any time there is no snow in the winter. They go dormant when it gets hot at the start of summer again. I sort of goofed and put the ones I got with white flowers out back many years ago and they do not get enough sun and so rarely flower for me.....guess I should dig them up and move them. Not all species of this are hardy to real cold temps, but I assume yours are since you bought them locally. They are pretty flowers :o) Dan

Lauranella I'm new to the trading but I would like to find out how to trade with you. I was wondering if you need any merigold seeds? I also have morning glory seeds. Would you consider a SASBE for a small amount of any of the following: Callisterphus chinensis (Ostrich Feather Blue Aster) Double Maroon Hollyhock Chamois Rose Hollyhock Moraea Huttonii Hibiscus syriacus (rose of sharon) Siren Red Crepe Myrtel Johnny Jump Ups Viola Felix I really want the black elefant ears, my goal is a black & with garden area. I'll send you a e-mail. maybe we can work something out. Good day OzarkGirl Cynthia m_cajun@hotmail.com

Phormium tenax is usually naturally found in lowland and swampy areas perching on hummocks. Has very stiff and upright leaves to about 10', though some of the purple cultivars are definitely lax. Dark red flowers and seed pods. Will easily take moderate frosts down to about -8C. Usually grows out in the open, in full Kiwi sun. (High UV.) Summer temps usually around 20-30C. Phormium cookianum/colensoi is often found on hillsides up to about 1200m and in well-drained gullies. It has more floppy leaves, yellow flowers and brown twisted seed pods. Easily takes frosts and some snowfall, though not lasting. More of a bush-edge plant but also ok with being open, though it may not grow as tall. Both tolerate droughty spells. And frequent winter rains. Both have a very tough covering on the leaves, though they will fray if they suffer a lot of wind. Hardy by the sea. Possible over-wintering - cheat and remove a young fan from the rhizome. Trim it as you would a bearded iris - with the young growing tip being in the middle and the longest. Plant up in a gritty but moisture-holding brew so the roots will develop well. (If your summers are brutal - pot them on to something more moisture retentive.) That's insurance against disaster. If there aren't many pots then the inground proposal seems good - plus traditional hay bales around the edges and a thick cover of ag plastic, bubble wrap, fleece, old blankets - whatever is suitable for your area. When you bring them back for spring-summer harden off carefully so that leaf 'wax' can rebuild because that is what provides a lot of the hardiness. Mealy bugs. I would suspect deep droughting in the container or the lack of water-holding in the mix. Good drainage, yes, but not the sort of miserable mix that pretends to be wet on top while holding the lower reaches from rewetting. A possible solution (for some) may be the addition of pumice pieces of about 5mm to the mix. And repotting every one to two years, or adding a good organic mulch. They have extensive root systems and will quite quickly fill a container.

Ohmygosh! natvtxn - I've been wanting red spider lillies for years and can never find them. Please save me some - now I know I MUST come - I'm really excited now, I saw them often when I lived in Dallas (long ago and far away) but never planted any. Since moving to San Antonio I've looked for them and never had any luck. I was about to order some online but would rather get some from you. I have a gorgeous red hibiscus cuttings I can bring. I don't know the name and not sure I can post a picture I took. The petals curl back like a Gloriosa lily and it has a very long stamen. It's unusual and really beautiful. Also have lots of Night Blooming Cereus, Asparagus fern, Orchid Cactus and I don't know what else. I read somewhere we're not supposed to "buy" anything but I would love to pay for some if it's allowed and I don't have anything you want. Let me know. Just name your price - (just kidding, of course)(sort of) (maybe not)