sure. dig it out and bring it in rofl...but seriously. Your DH is right what he does. For your zone that is all you can do besides really bringing it in for the winter.
Sorry about the joke. But if you had it in for years. Why do you want to change anything?
I am new but I hope what I wrote here is correct.
Others surely will help you and answer your question too. They are a real helpful bunch of great people here.

Welcome Ashli

Lucy

In zone 7 it would have to be mulched to protect the roots from freezing. You have to cut it down or it will freeze anyway or like Lucy said you can dig it up and put it in a pot and place it in the garage or some place dark and let it go dormant for the winter. You can also take cuttings or root the whole trunk that you cut off in a big bucket of water changing it daily in the garage for the winter. What is it you want to be easier? Getting it to grow big enough to bloom? If so doing either the dig it up and bring it in or root the trunk are your best bet.