Do the great lakes freeze over?
The UK is small and the climate varies quite widely, we're gulf streem warmed so even the colder areas aren't that cold. On the peaks of the the highlands of Scotland, it often gets down below -20°C, summers is short and there isn't much vegitation, just conifers and heather. In the Scilly isles, it's as mild as it is in Los Angeles California in winter, it doesn't get below freezing most winters, date palms and bannanas plant grow easilly and some roses bloom all year round, even though it's on the same latitude as Winnipeg Canada.