I bought a pot of french tarragon from jekkas herbs last year and it looks like I have been lucky (re the winter) as it is just starting to pop up again (I think June is the new April, here in Bala!). Its in very poor clayish/stoney soil in a water feature sump that smashed holes in the bottom off and filled with field soil. Will take some root cuttings and put in the greenhouse this winter following all the above advice, thanks.