Gardening in forn parts

Just wondering if those of us exiled abroad could compare notes on the plusses and minuses of our country/region? Have your gardens lived up to expectations? What challenges does your local climate present?
Over to you......

 

When I lived in the Caribbean it was marvellous how easily a plant would root up - just stick in a twig and the warmth and humidity did the rest. I discovered it was possible to kill things stone dead just by bringing them into an air-conditioned apartment.

I did really miss the seasonal change though. Although the greenery appeared lush, underneath there was always brown dormant stuff, unlike the British spring when every growing thing in creation is fresh, green and straining at the leash. Unbeatable, even if we have to survive winter to appreciate it.

 

I am exiled in the UK!
Kidding!

Grew up in South Africa though, and i must say i do miss the growing conditions.
Zone 9

 

Wow, both Jamaica and SA must have presented totally different conditions to the UK! Here in France, in theory at least, the seasons are the same but everything is that bit more 'extreme'. The only advantage to this that I've discovered so far is that long, hot summers help to ripen borderline hardy plants so they withstand winters better...