Yes, it stays out in the cast iron pot all year. That thing is far to heavy to pick up and move around. I planted 3 Hostas that came in 4" pots with the idea I'd just grow it as an annual. They all returned the next spring, though one soon died. What's here are the other two plants, though one is significantly larger than the other. I got some 'bagged' fern sold as 'Lady Fern' from Wal-Mart and stuck it in with the Hosta in spring 2015. The fern never really disappeared all winter and for a brief time early this year it was the main focal point. Then the Hosta simply took over.
I want to do one of those big blue-green jobs and use one of the big plastic cattle protein tubs sort of half way buried in the ground for the container, but haven't done it.
