It was grown in a pot at the foot of an apple tree. It had to grow strait to reach the light at the top of the tree.
It spent several years without any protection and had no damages at all.
I decided to put in in ground in full sun... and the upper two thirds froze.
Last winter no damage occurred.
I think it did not like to go from pot to ground.
it seems it is cold hardy but not extremely cold hardy.