The tropical lilies seem to be easier to grow for me than the hardies. The
hardies get overcrowded in the pot in less than a season, and don't bloom as
well as the tropicals. The tropicals do require warm water. To continue to
bloom, the water temperature needs to be around 70 degrees. If your water
temperature stays up, no frost will hit the pads and the plant should
perform for you. Ask on of the local pond and garden centers that you trust
if tropicals require any special care in your area. I build a cover over my
ponds and heat them and as a result, I get blooms into about February in my
Zone 7a/b area.
--
RichToyBox
http://www.geocities.com/richtoybox/pondintro.html


"Lynn Strickland" wrote in message
ink.net...
I'm in zone 10b (North of San Diego) and just starting out. [4 tons of
rock
dropped off in my driveway this morning!]. I've heard that beginners
should
start with hardy lillies, but I'd guess that tropicals won't be too fussy
around here -- and my thumbs tend to be on the green side anyway [I'll
probably be extremely successful at growing algea].

1. I like the look of the tropicals more -- but would I be getting in
over
my head?

2. Considering that I'll be adding the first plants in the next 2-3
weeks,
any special precautions for September planting? [IF I get frost at all,
it
won't be until late December / early January -- didn't get any in the last
two years].

Thanks!