I've never tried growing it myself but I have a friend who has had some success with one in Edmonton. I don't know if it still survives, but she did manage to overwinter it and have it bloom for at least several years. The Devonian Botanic Garden south of Edmonton also has successfully overwintered them for several years, even though they aren't supposed to be hardy here. In my friend's case, the Himalayan blue gets some sun, but I would say it is mostly in the shade, with a few hours of sun each day. We get a solid snow cover here that lasts from sometime in November to the end of March most years, and that snow would help protect the plants from the winter chill. If you don't have a persistent snow cover in the winter that could make survival difficult, though you could try mulch.

I had one for a few years. It was planted on the north side of the house, and right up close to the foundation. It didn't bloom the first year - i remember that for sure - but i can't remember if it was the second or third year that it finally bloomed. It was really lovely, but died out a couple of years ago.

I don't think the problem is so much the cold in your climates, it is the heat of summers. They grow quite well in this part of Alaska and I understand the pacific northwest.