I'm on the Gulf Coast and I have two that have come back.
I think the trick is to plant it in early spring so that it gets a good root system and mulch in the winter. Take cuttings in the fall just to be safe.

It is short-lived -- only 5 years or so.
It doesn't like direct sun here in CA zone 9.
I too loved the blooms -- have to get another soon.

Planted one last year; was beautiful.

Last fall I took cuttings because it is not hardy for our zone 7. I was not sure the cuttings would make it so after a killing frost, my husband dug up the plant and potted it.

After a couple of weeks on our glassed-in porch it had new growth showing. It grew all winter and in March began to put on blooms.

Put it in the garden this last week. Would have sooner but after danger of frost passed we had awful winds; VanHouttei is nearly as tall as me and quite leggy!

I have several cuttings and am hoping they grow and bloom like the parent plant.

Hummingbirds love it.

I f your area go's under about 34 or 35 D. kiss them goodby.

I mulch mine heavily in the winter. This morning, they are about 6 inches tall. You have got to love the color. Charles

They are pretty, but mine lasted only one summer after I took it out of the container that I had overwintered it in.