I have just been looking up some recent temperatures in England, as they say it will be the coldest winter in 100 years. 1in 2003 it was 38.5 Centigrade or 101.3 Fahrenheit on the hottest day of the year in Kent! However in the winter it was minus 26.1 Centigrade or minus 15 Fahrenheit for long periods. Of course the more south ypu go the more sunshine there is and the Gulf stream runs of the west of our small island. this keeps things 10 F warmer than it should be.
Whilst a Head gardener in west Sussex, (which is known for its sun) for a large Estate. The lady owner had a lot of her garden open, all year round to the public. She believed that she had created "Micro climates" within the garden for certain species of plants! Knowing that the wind is normally south western there belts of trees and shrubs were planted, as windbreaks and protection.
A large walled garden had been built in the 1700s which was of course notably warmer if you are, as I was working outside, many smaller plants protected by hollows that were surrounded by bigger and hardier plants.
In all the years this wonderful plantswoman had this garden, she literally had created "Micro environments" by the use of plants and stone. I could and the public could feel it on a walk around; that is the many differing temperatures around the garden. Amazing but true.
Regards.
Neil.
A tree fern and an Acer in the snow and ice at -15F, that is not good for them, but their secluded spot and the warmth of the house keeps them healthy!
