Anyone grown Capparis spinosa, caper plant?

[mort]

As above, anyone with experience of this plant? I got sent one today with some other things and it should have been a hornbeam (which I only ordered because if was the cheapest thing on the site but brought me above the minimum voucher level).
I had a quick look but only the place I got it from says it's hardy to -8, the others suggest it not anywhere near that. So uncertain whether to bung it down the alotment or donate it to someone.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I don't think it is hardy. It might be cold tolerant if you keep it dry, but I'm pretty sure that both cold and wet will see it off.

It's found around the Mediterranean in sandy places. I was in Kaş (S. Turkey) earlier in the year and it is common by the road-side there.

cheers Darrel

 

[mort]

Thanks Darrel, that's what nearly everything suggested but their site says it's as hardy as a olive. I think the wet in our area will kill it before the cold and my greenhouse is unheated.

 

[mort]

This spent the winter in an unheated, cold greenhouse and has just started sprouting. I did keep forgetting to water it and the tips did die off but it looks quite healthy, even after the winter we just had.