Hi,

All but one of my A. Sikokianum survived the winter fine. That one seems mushy on top. I will let dry in the air then replant. Only about 1/3 of the plants actually made it to the surface. I noticed a couple were trying to spread leaves right at ground level. So I dug up the rest and the other 2/3 had opened up below ground. The leaves and flowers were literally unfurling underground. I reset them at 6 inches deep. One had settled to 10 inches deep but the rest were all at eight inches deep. I had read they should be set 6 to 8 inches deep. I can see that would only work if the soil were extra light with just sand and humus. The little bit of extra clay made it hard for them to push that extra two inches.

So I am going to have a bunch of weird deformed flowers this year. Oh well, live and learn.