In the Drôme, the winter cold changes a lot from one place to another. One winter in ten, it falls to about −8 °C in Montélimar and the Tricastin, −10 °C in Valence, −12 °C in the Drôme des Collines and on the foothills, and −15 °C in the Diois and the Vercors.
We went through thirty winters of Météo-France records, from 1996 to 2026, and compared them with the hardiness of each of our plants. Choose your area below. You will find:
- the citrus trees that spend the winter outdoors without protection;
- those that need a fleece on frosty nights;
- those that stay in a pot.
The lists are kept up to date: only the plants available today are shown with a photo.
- −5 °C or milder
- −6 to −7 °C
- −8 to −9 °C
- −10 to −11 °C
- −12 to −13 °C
- −14 to −15 °C
- −16 to −17 °C
- −18 to −19 °C
- −20 °C and colder
Colour: the cold of one winter in ten, on the plain. Click on a neighbouring département to see its page. Map of the whole of France.
Choose your area:
−8 °Cone winter in ten
Montélimar, Tricastin and Nyons
Montélimar, Donzère, Pierrelatte, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, Taulignan, Vinsobres, Nyons, Marsanne
See the citrus trees for this area
The south of the Rhône valley, the mildest part of the département: −8 °C one winter in ten and −5 °C in an ordinary winter. Montélimar stays at −7.4 °C, Pierrelatte and Donzère at −7.9 °C. Orange trees, the hardiest clementines, satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; lemon trees and the other clementines need a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall, sheltered from the mistral. The soil is often chalky.
Montboucher-sur-Jabron
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has chalky soils, river alluvium and fersialsol. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then C35.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −8 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 57 available plants that withstand −8 °C
Sold out for now: 43 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Hana Yuzu, Haruka, Harumi, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Moro Orange, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Rio Red Grapefruit, Salustiana Orange, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Yuzu, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −5 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Carvalhal Early Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Star Ruby Grapefruit
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Bergamot Fantastico
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Early Clementine
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Moon Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €41.00
-
Encore Mandarin
down to −7 °C · €35.00
-
Purple Finger Lime
down to −7 °C · €45.00
See all 15 available plants that withstand −5 °C
Sold out for now: 3 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, US SuperNa.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −5 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−10 °Cone winter in ten
Valence, Romans and the Rhône plain
Valence, Bourg-lès-Valence, Romans-sur-Isère, Tain-l'Hermitage, Étoile-sur-Rhône, Livron-sur-Drôme, Crest
See the citrus trees for this area
The Valence and Romans plain, open to the mistral: −10 °C one winter in ten and −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence stays at −10.0 °C, Valence-Chabeuil falls to −11.6 °C. Satsumas, yuzus, kumquats and citranges spend the winter outdoors here; orange trees and clementines need a fleece on frosty nights, against a south-facing wall. Lemon trees stay in pots. The soil is sometimes chalky.
Valence-Chabeuil
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has fersialsol, chalky soils and ordinary brown soils. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then C35.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −10 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
See all 32 available plants that withstand −10 °C
Sold out for now: 27 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Corsican Mountain Orange, Hana Yuzu, Harumi, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −7 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Fukumoto Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
-
Clemenules Clementine
down to −9 °C · €35.00
-
Marsh Seedless Grapefruit
down to −9 °C · €29.75
-
Kabosu
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Tavares Limequat
down to −7 °C · €29.75
-
Cara Cara Orange
down to −8 °C · €35.00
See all 33 available plants that withstand −7 °C
Sold out for now: 19 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Dom Joao Orange, Fragola Orange, Haruka, Hassaku, Hyuganatsu, Iyo Mikan Tangor, Mandalate Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Moro Orange, Natsudaidai, Ota 38 Tangor, Salustiana Orange, Sciara x Clem Blood Tangor, Seminole, US SuperNa, Ugli, Vaniglia Sanguigno Orange, Wekiwa Tangelolo, Z194 Ichangensis x Sinensis.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −7 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Drôme des Collines
Saint-Vallier, Saint-Rambert-d'Albon, Albon, Saint-Sorlin-en-Valloire, Hauterives, Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, Marsaz
See the citrus trees for this area
The hills of the north, between the Rhône and the Isère: −12 °C one winter in ten and −8 °C in an ordinary winter. Saint-Christophe-et-le-Laris (452 m) stays at −10.2 °C, while Albon, lower down (153 m), falls to −12.4 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines need a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Orange trees, lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil is often silty.
Saint-Christophe-et-le-Laris
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has silty soils and fersialsol. In practice, the soil is often silty.
Rootstocks to favour: Poncirus, then FA5.
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −12 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Satsuma Owari FS
down to −12 °C · €42.00
See all 17 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 11 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Hana Yuzu, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −9 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma Miyagawa
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Shekwasha
down to −11 °C · €34.85
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Kinkoji
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 21 available plants that withstand −9 °C
Sold out for now: 20 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −9 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−12 °Cone winter in ten
Foothills: Royans, Gervanne, Dieulefit and the lower Baronnies
Saint-Jean-en-Royans, Rochefort-Samson, Beaufort-sur-Gervanne, Bourdeaux, Dieulefit, Buis-les-Baronnies, Mollans-sur-Ouvèze
See the citrus trees for this area
The foothills, from the Royans to the lower Baronnies: −12 °C one winter in ten and −8 °C in an ordinary winter. The south is less cold: Buis-les-Baronnies stays at −10.0 °C, while Saint-Jean-en-Royans and Bourdeaux fall to −13.8 °C. Citranges, yuzus and the hardiest satsumas spend the winter outdoors here; the other satsumas, kumquats and the hardiest clementines need a fleece, against a south-facing wall. Orange trees, lemon trees and the other clementines stay in pots. The soil is often chalky: plant on a mound.
Bourdeaux
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, river alluvium and fersialsol. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstocks to favour: FA5, then Poncirus. Poncirus only if the active lime stays below about 5% (soil analysis).
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −12 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Yuzu 3
down to −15 °C · €38.00
-
Morton Citrange
down to −15 °C · €35.00
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Satsuma Owari FS
down to −12 °C · €42.00
See all 17 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 11 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Hana Yuzu, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu, Yuzu.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −9 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma Miyagawa
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Ermelo Orange
down to −10 °C · €47.00
-
Shekwasha
down to −11 °C · €34.85
-
Changshan Huyou
down to −11 °C · €38.00
-
Kinkoji
down to −10 °C · €38.00
-
Orisa 9 Tangor
down to −9 °C · €41.00
-
Yuko
down to −9 °C · €38.00
-
Fukushu Kumquat
down to −10 °C · €32.30
See all 21 available plants that withstand −9 °C
Sold out for now: 20 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Corsican Mountain Orange, Haruka, Harumi, Hyuganatsu, Jabara, Juanita Mandarin, Kino Kuni Mikakukishu Mandarin, Mapo Tangelo, Meiwa Kumquat, Minneola, Nameiwa Kumquat, Natsudaidai, Rio Red Grapefruit, Sanbokan, Satsuma China S-3, Satsuma Iwasaki, Satsuma Miho, Satsuma Pucheng, Setubalense Mandarin, Shunkokan.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −9 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
−15 °Cone winter in ten
Diois, Vercors and the upper Baronnies
Die, Châtillon-en-Diois, Luc-en-Diois, La Chapelle-en-Vercors, Lus-la-Croix-Haute, Rémuzat, Séderon
See the citrus trees for this area
The mountains: −15 °C one winter in ten and −12 °C in an ordinary winter. Die (384 m) falls to −16.1 °C, Séderon (804 m) to −20.0 °C. Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3 spend the winter in the ground here without protection, only just: keep a fleece for exceptional nights. The other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas live here with a fleece at each frost; the other citrus trees stay in pots. The soil is chalky.
Séderon
The soil of the area and the rootstock
According to the soil map, this area mostly has shallow chalky soils, chalky soils and river alluvium. In practice, the soil is often chalky.
Rootstock to favour: Poncirus. Poncirus only if the active lime stays below about 5% (soil analysis).
Your plot may be different. Look at the Géoportail soil map (in French) around your home, then refine with our 5-step test.
In open ground, without protection
They withstand −15 °C. In the first years, a fleece on nights below −5 °C is a sensible precaution.
In open ground, with a fleece on frosty nights
They withstand −12 °C. A winter fleece put on at each frost and removed as soon as the frost stops, and a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
-
Satsuma China S-2
down to −12 °C · €41.00
-
Changsha Mandarin
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Sudachi Seneca
down to −12 °C · €42.00
-
Trivoss No. 1
down to −14 °C · €35.00
-
Citrangeremo
down to −14 °C · €29.75
-
Clemyuz
down to −12 °C · €38.00
-
Eremorange
down to −12 °C · €35.00
-
Satsuma Owari FS
down to −12 °C · €42.00
See all 14 available plants that withstand −12 °C
Sold out for now: 9 other plants
On their page, “Notify me” lets you know when they are back: Ambersweet, Auline, Bendizao Mandarin, Satsuma Dobashi Beni, Satsuma Kowano, Satsuma Louisiana, Satsuma Saigon, Satsuma Waze, Thornless Yuzu.
The others: in a pot, brought in for the winter
Lemons, limes and less hardy citrus (more tender than −12 °C): in a large pot, outdoors from spring to autumn and brought into a bright, frost-free room for the winter. All our citrus trees.
Readings from the Météo-France stations (winters 1996-1997 to 2025-2026)
| Station | Altitude | Ordinary winter | One winter in ten | Record | Winters at −9 °C or below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierrelatte | 51 m | −3.9 °C | −7.9 °C | −8 °C (2 January 2002) | 0 out of 25 |
| Vinsobres | 346 m | −4.1 °C | −8.2 °C | −10.6 °C (7 February 2012) | 2 out of 30 |
| Donzère | 66 m | −4.5 °C | −7.9 °C | −9 °C (2 January 2002) | 1 out of 30 |
| Montélimar | 73 m | −4.6 °C | −7.4 °C | −8.8 °C (2 January 2002) | 0 out of 30 |
| Taulignan | 257 m | −5.3 °C | −9 °C | −11.4 °C (5 February 2012) | 2 out of 24 |
| Puy-Saint-Martin | 211 m | −5.4 °C | −8.9 °C | −10.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 2 out of 30 |
| Montségur-sur-Lauzon | 146 m | −5.5 °C | −8 °C | −10.2 °C (2 March 2005) | 2 out of 29 |
| Marsanne | 280 m | −5.5 °C | −8.9 °C | −10.9 °C (5 February 2012) | 1 out of 25 |
| Saint-Marcel-lès-Valence (INRAE) | 190 m | −5.7 °C | −10 °C | −10.6 °C (30 December 2005) | 6 out of 30 |
| Étoile-sur-Rhône | 145 m | −5.8 °C | −10.1 °C | −13.2 °C (11 January 2010) | 3 out of 30 |
| Mercurol | 153 m | −6.2 °C | −10.3 °C | −11.8 °C (11 January 2010) | 7 out of 30 |
| Montboucher-sur-Jabron | 136 m | −6.9 °C | −10.2 °C | −12 °C (2 March 2005) | 3 out of 25 |
| Saint-Sorlin-en-Valloire | 237 m | −6.9 °C | −11.6 °C | −13.8 °C (30 December 2005) | 9 out of 30 |
| Bésignan | 556 m | −7 °C | −11.1 °C | −12.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 9 out of 30 |
| Valence-Chabeuil | 163 m | −7 °C | −11.6 °C | −14.7 °C (11 January 2010) | 7 out of 29 |
| Buis-les-Baronnies | 390 m | −7.2 °C | −10 °C | −10.2 °C (20 December 2001) | 6 out of 25 |
| Livron-sur-Drôme | 98 m | −7.5 °C | −10.2 °C | −10.7 °C (2 March 2005) | 5 out of 25 |
| Albon | 153 m | −7.5 °C | −12.4 °C | −12.4 °C (30 December 2005) | 10 out of 25 |
| Saint-Christophe-et-le-Laris | 452 m | −7.6 °C | −10.2 °C | −14.5 °C (5 February 2012) | 10 out of 30 |
| Romans-sur-Isère | 156 m | −7.6 °C | −11.5 °C | −13.2 °C (11 January 2010) | 10 out of 30 |
| Rochefort-Samson | 368 m | −7.8 °C | −11.6 °C | −14.5 °C (5 February 2012) | 10 out of 30 |
| Saint-Barthélemy-de-Vals | 203 m | −7.9 °C | −11.9 °C | −13 °C (30 December 2005) | 11 out of 30 |
| Beaufort-sur-Gervanne | 379 m | −8.1 °C | −12.5 °C | −15.3 °C (5 February 2012) | 13 out of 30 |
| Mollans-sur-Ouvèze | 280 m | −8.4 °C | −11.4 °C | −13.1 °C (16 December 2001) | 9 out of 20 |
| Divajeu | 175 m | −8.6 °C | −11.7 °C | −13 °C (1 March 2005) | 9 out of 23 |
| Saint-Jean-en-Royans | 308 m | −8.7 °C | −13.8 °C | −16.9 °C (5 February 2012) | 15 out of 30 |
| Marsaz | 213 m | −8.8 °C | −12.2 °C | −13.6 °C (11 January 2010) | 11 out of 25 |
| Montjoux | 491 m | −9 °C | −11 °C | −15 °C (5 February 2012) | 11 out of 21 |
| Saint-Roman | 545 m | −9.8 °C | −13.4 °C | −16.2 °C (5 February 2012) | 13 out of 23 |
| Bourdeaux | 432 m | −10 °C | −13.8 °C | −17.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 21 out of 30 |
| Bellegarde-en-Diois | 1017 m | −10.2 °C | −13.8 °C | −17 °C (5 February 2012) | 16 out of 30 |
| Combovin | 820 m | −10.3 °C | −15.2 °C | −16 °C (5 February 2012) | 15 out of 25 |
| Glandage | 1007 m | −10.5 °C | −14.4 °C | −18.5 °C (5 February 2012) | 22 out of 30 |
| Saint-Auban-sur-l'Ouvèze | 625 m | −10.7 °C | −15.4 °C | −17.1 °C (5 February 2012) | 17 out of 24 |
| Die | 384 m | −11.3 °C | −16.1 °C | −18 °C (18 December 2010) | 21 out of 30 |
| Luc-en-Diois | 537 m | −11.8 °C | −15.3 °C | −17.3 °C (5 February 2012) | 18 out of 21 |
| Rémuzat | 475 m | −12 °C | −16.2 °C | −16.8 °C (18 December 2010) | 20 out of 25 |
| Lus-la-Croix-Haute | 1059 m | −12.7 °C | −16.3 °C | −18.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 27 out of 30 |
| Saint-Nazaire-le-Désert | 607 m | −12.8 °C | −15.3 °C | −18.8 °C (5 February 2012) | 23 out of 26 |
| La Chapelle-en-Vercors | 879 m | −13 °C | −17.2 °C | −20.7 °C (5 February 2012) | 27 out of 30 |
| Valdrôme | 786 m | −15 °C | −19 °C | −19.9 °C (12 February 2012) | 29 out of 30 |
| Séderon | 804 m | −15.2 °C | −20 °C | −21.7 °C (6 February 2012) | 30 out of 30 |
“Ordinary winter”: half of the winters go colder, the other half less cold. “One winter in ten”: this cold is reached or exceeded in about one winter in ten. Calculations by the Greffeur d'agrumes nursery.
How to read these figures
The hardiness given on our product pages is the cold that an adult, healthy and hardened citrus tree withstands during a short frost. We compare it with the cold that comes back about one winter in ten: a plant listed “without protection” withstands at least that cold. In harsher winters, about three in thirty, keep a winter fleece ready for the coldest nights.
Very harsh winters are still possible. In February 2012, Séderon fell to −21.7 °C and La Chapelle-en-Vercors to −20.7 °C. In the plain, Valence-Chabeuil recorded −14.7 °C in January 2010, and Montélimar −8.8 °C in January 2002. Such cold can burn the leaves or a few shoots of a citrus tree that is only just hardy enough. Wait for spring to see what grows back before pruning.
To understand what helps a tree get through frost, read Understanding citrus hardiness.
Our advice for the Drôme
- Shelter from the mistral. In the Rhône valley, the mistral dries out the leaves and makes frost worse. Plant against a south-facing wall, or behind a hedge that breaks the north wind.
- Avoid hollows. Cold air flows down and collects at the bottom of valleys and in basins. The records show it: one winter in ten, Die, at 384 m in the Drôme valley, falls to −16.1 °C, while Bellegarde-en-Diois, at 1,017 m, stays at −13.8 °C. Plant halfway up a slope or against a south-facing wall, never at the lowest point of the garden.
- Take care of drainage. The soil is often chalky in the south of the département, on the foothills and in the mountains. In chalky or heavy soil, plant on a mound.
- Choose the rootstock for your soil. Poncirus is the most cold-resistant. In chalky, dry soil, common in the Drôme, FA5 does better. Our 5-step test helps you choose: Which rootstock should you choose?
- Plant in spring, once the frosts are over. The tree then has a whole season to take root before its first winter.
- Protect young plants on nights below −5 °C during the first years. Put the winter fleece on at each frost and take it off as soon as the frost stops.
- Mulch in summer only, against drought, without the straw touching the trunk. Pull it away from the foot of the tree at the end of autumn: moisture at the collar encourages phytophthora.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant a lemon tree in the ground in Valence?
No. Lemon trees withstand about −5 °C, and Valence falls to around −7 °C in an ordinary winter. Keep them in pots, brought in for the winter. Towards Montélimar and Pierrelatte, where the cold falls to −8 °C one winter in ten, a lemon tree can live in the ground with a fleece at each frost, against a south-facing wall. For a sour fruit in the ground in Valence, choose a yuzu or a hardy lemon substitute instead. You will find them in Lemons and lemon substitutes.
Which citrus trees withstand the cold best in the Drôme?
Citranges, Yuzu and Yuzu 3, which withstand −15 °C, spend the winter without protection everywhere, only just in the mountains. Towards Montélimar and Valence, satsumas, the other yuzus (Yuzu 30, thornless, Tada Nishiki) and kumquats also manage without it. In the Drôme des Collines and on the foothills, the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas stay outdoors without protection; the other satsumas and kumquats need a fleece. In the Diois and the Vercors, the other yuzus and the hardiest satsumas need a fleece; keep the others in pots. They are brought together in Hardy citrus.
What about orange trees and clementines?
They withstand −7 to −9 °C depending on the variety. Towards Montélimar, Pierrelatte and Nyons, orange trees and the hardiest clementines spend the winter in the ground without protection; the other clementines need a fleece on frosty nights, against a south-facing wall. In the Valence plain, orange trees and clementines live in the ground with a fleece. In the Drôme des Collines and on the foothills, only the hardiest clementines live outdoors, under a fleece. In the mountains, keep them in pots.
My town is not listed: which area should I choose?
Take the nearest area at the same altitude, then compare with the nearest station in the table of readings. Take off about one degree for every 150 m of extra altitude, and one or two degrees if you are in a hollow.
These figures are guidelines. Your garden may be milder or colder than the nearest station. A question about your plot? Write to us.
Sources: Météo-France, daily basic climatological data (data.gouv.fr, Licence Ouverte 2.0); near the eastern border, also the Deutscher Wetterdienst (Datenlizenz Deutschland 2.0); towns, altitudes and boundaries: INSEE, IGN (Admin Express, RGE ALTI) and geo.api.gouv.fr (Licence Ouverte); soils: dominant soil map INRAE / Gis Sol (Licence Ouverte). Topsoil lime: LUCAS, European Commission, JRC (ESDAC, Ballabio et al. 2019).