Thank you for the replies. I did check out the link, and found a couple companies I want to try. I'll check on the iris. I have day lilies, some, I just planted this year, and they haven't bloomed yet, and the larger kinds of iris. The bed I want to put them in will have lots of annuals, too, so they should be small when the early bulbs are blooming. In my other beds I have some crocus, grape hyacinths that get covered by perennial geraniums, daffodils, that take forever for their foliage to die, that I plant annuals around, and a few tulips here and there. I also have a clump of arum that my son informed me prefers shade that I may move. I had another, but it died. When I bought the arum bulbs, I had no idea what they were, and they are kind of cool, with their arrow shaped foliage, and their little balls that turn red. That made me wonder if there were other plants out there I haven't heard of that the foliage dies back sooner for. I'm sure there are plants I'm not familiar with, but thanks for letting me know I'll still have foliage to deal with. I paid 5.98 a piece for the Lycoris. I wouldn't have if I'd realized they were Surprise Lilies. I don't know if they are the pale pink like I've seen, or a brighter pink like the tag shows. Are there different kinds of these? Thanks again, Sue

Tom asked "Have you floated rain lily seeds? Probably not necessary since they germinate so easily.... BTW, I've noted that the green throat turns to a similar light pink just like the flowers. Do yours stay green?" Tom, it took a few days of observation to be able to answer your question. I've been watching and I haven't seen the throat of any of my rain lilies turn to light pink. The throat seems to stay green for the duration of the bloom. I haven't floated rain lily seeds. I plant them directly into the ground. As fast as I can harvest a ripe seed pod I take it to somewhere else in the yard that I would like rain lilies, open the pod, very lightly cover by brushing a little soil over the top and lightly water. The only rain lilies I have actually planted into containers instead of the ground are the ones from you, Keiki and Cora - and I did it just so I could monitor them, know where they end up being planted and observe for variations. I know you didn't ask, but I don't like the float method for amaryllis seeds, either - not down here in Florida where we have plenty of heat. (I understand the folks up north using that method.) I plant them directly into seed starter cell-packs. The float method, for me, is just an extra step, an opportunity to damage tender/fragile roots and a chance to lose some. I'm very happy with the direct to soil method. Have any of the seeds germinated for you? Or did you plant them directly in the ground where it is a bit hard to keep track? Post some photos of the yellow and white ones when they come around! Carol

Sue, I have red VA clay here. Over the years, I have had truckloads - at least 20 TONS of topsoil ( as my back can attest to!) hauled in for raised beds. I think my plants might be peachy too if I tried to grow in the clay soil we have. The place I get topsoil from mixes 2/3 topsoil and 1/3 soil conditioner. ( mostly old mulches - pine bark, cypress, hardwood, etc. all mixed together) Otherwise, the topsoil is too heavy. I also freely mix compost in when planting. The last time I tested my soil, it was about right for daylilies. Right off the bat, I'm thinking around 6.8 -6.9 but that might not be right. Dianne, I mostly get plants directly from their hybridizers. Both FLAMINGO FLAMBEAU ( Linda Michaels 08) and NO BOYS ALLOWED ( Judy Davisson 06) came from the hybridizers. Linda is in NY. She sometimes sells on the Lily Auction. Judy is in - well, oops, either SC or NC. Judy sells on the Lily Auction also. Hope this helps!

Hmm I like Iowa Rose a lot but don't it might be to light for you. Fangio is a deep raspberry pink, but don't have a pic of it. Also it's an LA llily. Iowa Rose was new to my garden last year, this year it's about 2 1/2 ft. Here is a link that might be useful: Picasa web album