Yes, I have possibly killed my bay tree by "temporarily" parking it out of the way, and then not watering it for, um, a little while. Maybe it'll come back.

Rhubarb for me has always been a pass-along plant, no idea what varieties we have here. But the pass-along does well in our very-hot summer/mild and damp winter, as an understorey and in full sun. So no real help there. I shall be interested to learn your results.