Clethras

I'm very gradually working myself up towards a mini-frenzy of lust, the object(s) of my desire being the genus Clethra. Before I pass the point of no return, I would be grateful for any advice on that old problem of beauty v. hardiness. I understand that some of the deciduous species are very hardy, and that even the Chinese C.delavayi, that I've seen described as being 'the best' of this group, is hardy to -10C or so. But the one I would really like is the evergreen Madeiran species C.arborea, but it's only hardy to -3C, says one of my reference books. Is this an accurate assessment? I believe that it's a plant best grown as an understorey shrub in woodland conditions, and I'm quite prepared to protect it under glass for a few winters until my other trees/shrubs have grown to provide the required shade/shelter. It appears that this is not a cheap plant to buy in the UK - one Cornish nursery is asking £17.50 for it, which is a tad pricey. All advice gratefully received.

Einion Hughes,
in Rhyl, North Wales,
where temperatures are currently stuck in a cycle of +3C in the day and -2C at night.     
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