@jamesharcourt my Belgian garden was in the geographical centre, on the high point (tho low in itself) between the Scheldt and Meuse river basins so very exposed. There is one area of the nearest town about 5kms away called "La Siberie". We moved into the house in Feb 93 and had 3 weeks of -15C by day.
That was a pattern that went on for years with occasional -25C by night for a day or three when the winds were coming from the real Siberia. Very testing for many plants, especially the evergreens because there was usually no snow for insulation. A freak -32C on Jan 6th 2009 saw off every single one and didn't do a lot for my roses and clems either.
Nothing like that here and not in recent years in the Belgian garden either cos of global warming.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I was offered a large quantity of of free plants from a nearby garden recently large hostas, ferns, berginia, hellebores all sorts of plants I love. All I had to do was remove 6 mature Berberis shrubs and get rid of the waste, no problem says I 🤣. So like a lamb to the slaughter I attacked the first bush, I rapidly decided that the freebie plants were too expensive and could stay put. Vile plant I'm sure it was attacking me on purpose 😭
@Wilderbeast I've just about removed my one Berberis. I had to basically wear armour and triple-bag on the gloves. It still got me a couple of times. I've managed to shred nearly all of it except about 10 or so trunks and the rootball came up without too much pain. I'm so happy to see the back of it, it has enjoyed 20 years there injuring people and falling needles into our pond to terrorise the frogs and fish, so it's time is up ))
@Obelixx -32c makes me thankful for the (usually maligned) UK weather. I've never appreciated the inclement conditions here more!
Good for you @jamesharcourt ! Wish we could get rid of ours. The spines can be about 1" long and lethal - they can go right through the soles of garden shoes and I end up wearing hiking boots and tough leather gauntlets to hack it back.
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That was a pattern that went on for years with occasional -25C by night for a day or three when the winds were coming from the real Siberia. Very testing for many plants, especially the evergreens because there was usually no snow for insulation. A freak -32C on Jan 6th 2009 saw off every single one and didn't do a lot for my roses and clems either.
Nothing like that here and not in recent years in the Belgian garden either cos of global warming.
@Obelixx -32c