<< Is laurel hardy? >> Alex, It grows here in California even up in the Sierras so. Even where I live we get down into the 20's some nights. It grows happily in Sunset zones 5-9, 12-24, H1, and H2 Now Seattle is the 4/5 zones and you are in Ohio. Maybe you should plant it in a pot and drag it inside in the winter. It is slow growing. I had one in a wine barrel for 15 years and it was only 8' tall. They take pruning and shaping nicely! Home Depot has the 2" size pot for under $2. Mary-Anne