They are gorgeous! Were they at a nursery? Thanks for the pictures. I am always looking to add to my collection.
I was able to keep them alive even in MD (Zone 7) but even more so down here in GA. I tested first, next to the house and sure enough, it came back. But this year I got lazy. I had two in big pots with other flowers and just put them in a CHEAP, unheated GH that gets lots of temperature extremes and they are blooming now. One has four blossoms and I haven't done anything to protect them and we've had some cold nights (29) and hot days.
The only problem I have had is mealy bugs. Two infestations and I wiped every surface of every plant with alcohol and used a spray and they still came back. Finally unpotted them, removed all the dirt and scrubbed the pots and repotted with new soil and I haven't seen any since. Fingers crossed. But it may have been that in combination to just plain neglecting them all last summer because I was so frustrated. Only the strong survived but they did survive and no mealy bugs!
Margaret, I believe they actually like it a bit cooler so you may be able to grow them.
