I noticed a comment about artichokes and where they might be winter-hardy. A few yrs ago I planted one (started seed indoors) for a lark, and was surprised to find it came up again for a few springs. It was near strawberries which were staw-covered but I'd made no attempt to cover the artichoke as I assumed it would die.
I live in Moncton, New Brunswick in Canada, which has pretty cold winters, but usually good snow cover also, which does protect things a bit.
