I'm froze in, no trading til April or may...
I bet you do find them to far hardier than expected as long as they get sited in a dry winter spot...I'm guessing tx that won't be an issue!
It sounds like your on the right track, my estimation would be exactly the same, plant very early so those roots are set!
I first thought the lens types would be less hardy too, but then I thought back to my last post, lens types with thick succulent roots can in fact regrow from those roots!
So even if they are more susceptible to frost burns and freeze damage, I bet they have the potential to burn down past the crown and kill the mother plant, yet regrow from the deeper growing roots.
These ones also bury themselves right up to the lens in nature( YouTube haworthia in situ to see some great little vids of this)
The non lens, hexangularis subgenus, attenuata and the like, lack the ability to regrow from the roots. They also grow right atop the soil, leaving them more exposed to the elements.
I think in their native habitat, it's defense from blazing sun and scorching temps, being from South Africa...but who's to say it's not a strong defense against cold too!
