Yes, I know that feeling. I've just come from an area that got no frost...lived there for 30-some years...move to an area with a great deal more rain and a changing climate...the first two Winters here I had nothing bothered by frost even and then this last couple of weeks have been heavy frost. I've planted things I did not expect to grow here...if they make it, fine, if not that's fine also....we have much to choose from.
The astelia is in a pot in a somewhat protected area with morning sun and up by the house. It's there along with elegia capensis, chondropetalum elephantinum, phygelius...the Gartenmeister Fuchsia right there looks done for though....lol.
