Question: Which side of the house will have the most damage to plants when it's cold?

Answer: Surprisingly, the east and south sides. Plants on those sides will keep growing longer into the fall, so they'll be less prepared for the winter. Plus, most extremely low temperatures happen when it is clear. Sunlight hits the leaves of plants on those two sides before it hits plants on the north and west. The rapid thawing causes a great deal of damage.