I have. I grew some from seed of rare Andean strains - that didn't work out so well, I was never able to get large tubers. Then last summer I started some seed that I took from a fruit off of mid-summer plants. By late fall they had matured some smallish tubers, which I'll plant out with the others this spring. I also plan to start more seed early in flats and get the plants set out by mid-may to produce new potatoes. Of course, open-pollinated TPS makes unpredictable tubers, which is kind of fun. I havn't tried any of the hybrid seed that supposedly sets consistent tubers.

Cultivars that are closest to their wild origins and that are somehow isolated from wild gene pools will naturalize if the climate is favorable. Examples: parsnip will pretty easily naturalize in any cool moist climate where there is not a native pop of parsnip. I have seen that happen here. If there is a "wild" parsnip then one's cultivar will simply get absorbed in the larger gene-pool. That is why one can't grow carrot true for seed anywhere near queen-anne's lace, which is annoying as heck because my climate would greatly favor carrot as a naturalized self-sower. Napus kales easily naturalize in the same kind of climate, and are sealed from native pops of brassica and mustard family weeds by virtue of an unusual ploidy. Much to be taken advantage of. Things like broccoli and cauliflower will not naturalize in this climate not only because they would cross with weeds but also they are not well enough adapted to winter. They might naturalize in SoCal or someplace like that. What you are describing isn't gardening in the usual sense, it is releasing plants that will naturalize in which case there can be the possibility of invasiveness.

I've grown Golden Buddha for two years and it's a great plant. Mine clears 2.5 feet and gains a little every year. Nonstop bloomer. Prune in the spring......mostly just remove any dead wood and prune the tips of the canes that are healthy. Mine grows in all day sun and does great. Right now I'm about 2 weeks from first bloom and there are about 20 sprays on one small plant. As soon as those blooms start to fade new buds are already developed. Very fragrant, very colorful, and very floriferous. I highly recommend. Michael

Actually Margarita is hardier than the typical. Here's a photo from Bill in RI 6b who grows it successfully in New England. It is way down near the bottom of the thread. http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2048105/show-us-your-gardens-a-photo-thread-june-2012?n=71 It stayed alive (limping along) in my garden for about 3 years, but I think the winter that hit -23 finally did it in. I think it might be worth trying for you since it is supposed to be hardy to zone 5. With added mulch for protection you might find it does fine.