Janet wrote:

The leaves of healthy fatsias do hang down when they're feeling very
cold..as do some rhododendrons. When the weather warms up they spring up
again.

Yes its a fairly common reaction with some large-leaved evergreen
plants - Viburnum rhytidophyllum and even evergreen Magnolias can do
much the same.

I've killed the variegated one too. TBH, I was relieved..it never
looked right during its brief spell in the garden, too much like an
escaped houseplant.

Oh well you'd hate my garden then Janet - it is filled with so-called
house plants. When I go looking for something new to plant, I search
amongst the greenhouses and house-plant sections of nurseries rather
than choose from the outdoor plants.

Dave Poole
Torquay, Coastal South Devon UK
Winter min -2°C. Summer max 34°C.
Growing season: March - November