I experimented with "Bermuda Spice" and 'Lady Hillingdon' planted in the ground in 2013 -- just in time for the first of (so far) two extreme Winters. 'Lady Hillingdon' was cut back to the mulch line. "Bermuda Spice" kept about 4" above after removing Winter damage. But given lots of sun/heat, food, and water, both rebounded. "Bermuda Spice" reached about 4' tall by 5' wide by the following Winter. 'Lady Hillingdon' was a bit slower. Each kept about 12" of cane after the following Winter, and again both rebounded -- this time, 'Lady Hillingdon' reached about 3' tall. I also had 'Napoleon', 'Mme Laurette Messimy', and a red China bought as 'Louis Philippe' but which turned out to be something different. Of those three, 'Mme Laurette Messimy' was cut to the mulch line after the first Winter, but rebounded. The other two kept about 12" of cane, and grew very vigorously through the next year. This year, 'Mme Laurette Messimy' kept a few inches of cane, but the other two lost only their very thin stems -- anything thicker than a pencil made it.

So, this year I tried a few more Teas and Chinas, but many are to remain potted and protected for Winter. 'Devoniensis' is just one. This will be their first Winter. I'm going to experiment by burying those in 2-gal pots in my not-hot compost heap, then covering their top growth with tree leaves. The ones in 15" pots -- like 'Devoniensis' -- will go in my unheated enclosed back porch.

If I was to start a garden in this area again, I'd go for trying more Teas and Chinas in the ground. Elsewhere it's advised to avoid hard pruning, but in my limited experience, I think that means cutting back growth that's mature -- cutting off the previous season's growth that was killed by Winter doesn't seem to faze them. And our Summers are hot enough that they get what they need to rebound. I'd say give the Teas and Chinas a try. See the link below for my forum post showing which I'm trying this year.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3350569/some-of-my-chinas-and-teas-in-central-nj-zone-7a?n=10

And see attached pics to give an idea of how much my 2YO "Bermuda Spice" grows in a season, after being cut back hard to remove Winter damage. The rest of the season, I just let it grow wild.

:-)

~Christopher