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When the first hard frost struck in my garden at the end of October, it was the kiss of death for so much of the long-lasting summer colour. Busy Lizzies crumpled instantly, summer bedding packed up shop, and leaves started falling from the trees

.I'm happy we haven't experienced any harsh late frosts. These could prove the kiss of death for delicate wisteria flowers, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that May treats me kindly with mild weather. Frost is a damaging force, prematurely ruining flower

Why is it that just as my wisteria reaches its peak the weather breaks and we get night after night of cold weather and frost?!After buying a wistera and not being able to find the right home for it, I decided to experiment by training it as a

the end of the 2012 growing season. The reason I’m flustered is that there’s so much still to do, and the most urgent job is to bring any tender plants that are still outside under cover before they’re damaged.I have a lovely selection of tender succulents

counties too. It's an example of how temperature influences so many plants in our gardens, often putting our traditional gardening seasons slightly out of sync when we get an unexpected warm spell.Of course, when it comes to camellias, all varieties

leaving them out all winter as an experiment. Some will simply turn to mush when touched by frost, so I find them a home on a bright bedroom windowsill that remains frost free. One of my neighbours has several succulents planted out permanently in a bed

You can't beat the autumn colour of acers, especially Japanese maples. Their bright, burning colours defy the cooling temperatures that have put a chill in the air over recent weeks. But their ephemeral beauty won't last long; a few sharp frosts

haven't really experienced 'challenging' winter weather for many years now, I doubt if this Phoenix canariensis has had to put up with much in the way of cold during its lifetime, but there has been some frost and snow. From what I've observed over

ways. The oldest variety I grow, and the earliest to flower, is 'St Ewe', which I planted directly into my border soil. Now I wouldn't claim my clay soil is ideal for camellias, which enjoy a lime-free and water-retentive soil, but this one has

my fingers crossed that night frosts stay away. These are very damaging to fruit blossom, and are one reason why despite a good show of flower no fruit is forthcoming. Those delicate inner parts of a flower are easily killed by cold, so even