Susan, in the D-FW area we've had two unusually hot summers (even for us), followed by two relatively mild winters. No way my in-ground hostas got enough cold rest. That's why I lost so many. (Happened in 2005, too, the first year I had hostas.) They can take the heat, but only if they get deep dormancy to recover in the winter. The big ones in pots fared better, but I think I lost every single one of my babies in one-gallon pots. Most of the landscape hostas like the tiaras and albomarginatas did okay in the ground. Funny thing, though, all my dad's hostas are humongous this year. A few of mine are too. I don't know why the difference. BTW, I never, ever mulch them in the winter either.
I would think that Virginia gets cold enough that you wouldn't have that problem. Are you on the coast? All I can remember is living up there in the 70s (DC) and it being under 10 degrees for most of the winter. Makes me cold just to think about it!
