CALLIRHOE involucrata. Wine cups. Central and southwestern U.S. While the last few years of abundant rains have helped spawn a new wave of enthusiasm for plants of the moist forests, some of us have persisted in a search for new treasures from drier climates–plants which may still be around after the inevitable future rounds of water rationing. The challenge has been to find plants which will also tolerate garden conditions in the interim. This is one such perennial. It forms sidalcea-like clumps with dark green basal leaves, roundish in overall outline but deeply divided. From these extend the prostrate seasonal blooming stems, which carry many 2" blossoms, of typical mallow form but bright red to reddish purple in color, from late spring to fall. This is a fine plant for meadows, borders and banks. It thrives in full sun and most soils, with moderate to occasional watering. Hardy to 0^oF or below, simply dying to the ground after hard frosts and reappearing in spring.