Hello gardeners - though I have gardened for 20 years, I am new to hostas and this forum. (I have had a very gracious person get me this far). I am in N. Calif, the Fairfield area. I purchased 12 hostas in 2010, and had 9 come up in 2011. We had a very mild winter in 2011. The ones that didn't come up are First Frost, Mouse Ears and Great Expectations (ironic). I am going to avoid these three, but do want to get more hostas. My June was perfect, and Krossa's Regal, Tokudama and Halcycon near perfect. I had a Lakeside Midnight Miss that was in too much sun, looking cooked and bedragled. I move her into a pot in shade and she ended up a ruffled beauty. So - after all this rambling - I guess I'm wondering if others have this problem with mild winters, and if putting the hostas in pots makes a difference. Thank you - have a great Thanksgiving