frost heave is your issue ...

i would unpot.. get rid of the media... plant in native soil ... and water them in.. unless you have non-draining soil ...

and then mulch heavy ...

in the alternative.... set them on their sides ... in the pots ..... on the north side of the house .. and ignore them until spring.. and all the better if they get buried in snow ... unless vermin are an issue ...

are they still leafed out.. so you can confirm no virus ... if not.. opt for option 2.. and isolate them until after they leaf out in spring...

ken

Thank you for responding. The older leaves look yellowish brown but there are some young green leaves. How can I tell that they are infected with virus? I am leaning toward option 2.

I contracted to have 2 good size maples and old tree stumps removed, tree service will probably do it this week here in zone 5. So I had to remove 4 large hosta clumps, which I will replant after the tree guys are done. I will also water and mulch them heavily, possily put some rocks on them, so they do not pop out in spring. Good luck to us!
Bernd

Bernd, don't worry about putting rocks on them. I have seen frost lift houses so a couple pounds won't help much.

Kousa, after a run in with HVX myself this year I wouldn't risk getting Hostas from box stores. They don't care and buy from the suppliers that don't care. I would most certainly quarantine them for a few years and make sure you clean tools properly, for that matter anything that contacts them and punctures the foliage. Personally I would return them or toss them and cut my losses then order them from a reputable source.

Good luck all

SouthCountryGuy, I can try and will see. The tree service did not come yet, snow is in the forecast in a few days, but plants are dormant anyway, right now in very large pots and bags. I also did not cut any roots, simply lifted them. Mulch (and manure mix) is waiting. Bernd

I've planted dormant,in the pot,plants, here in November before,with no problem. I am in zone 6 also. I still have those plants,and that was years ago. Phil