Thanks for the encouragement.
I am doing OK with my Hostas and a few plants sent to me by Julia among which are saxifrage and some pergoulium (sp?) .
But I don't think these are perennial in my area except the Hosta. Will see what the winter brings this year.
I miss watching my semps though. I no longer have to worry about what the neighbors were thinking as I peered into containers like a demented soul.