I can understand why you're asking, because this is such a great plant you'd hate to lose it. Mine has survived 2 winters thus far (purchased in March 2013). I gave it no special protection either year.

Judging from how the plant reacted, I think the winter of 2013-14 was colder. There were dead tips, etc. but in the spring I gave the plant a fairly hard prune and in no time it returned to its former glory.

This past winter seemed milder; in spring I found numerous young plants at the base of the mother.

Little Ruby is very easy to propagate from cuttings - which is how I came to have 5 big clumps from one small original plant. Each of my current 5 are about 2.5' in diameter - they look like small burgundy shrubs among the flowers.

As the plant grows wider, branches that touch the ground will also root - another way to get more plants.

Thanks, Juneroses! I did have one small plant that survived the mild winter last year, but it was covered with leaves. I'm thinking of taking cuttings to put in a smalll basket to keep indoors this winter just in case. It does root easily, and I've given tons of it away. I just love this plant. Got a few scraggly cuttings last year from a neighbor who was moving out, and it quickly grew into a gorgeous ground cover. I want to use it as a ground cover in the courtyard next year, along with my sweet potatoes.

I had the taller version, Purple Prince, at my old house and loved it to, but it seemed to put out more seeds and reseed every year, where I have yet to see a bloom on this one. I'm sure it will bloom soon, and I can gather seeds, or just spread them to I'll have more next year.