Container growing hosta and your climate are two seperate issues. Generally crown root is the leading failure of hostas in containers. The problem with your climate is the plant needs a period of dormancy with temps below 40 degrees. Shade is easy. I would try an inexpensive smaller variety. Im sure Mom would love to see one of the lush huge ones but thats more problematic. You'll need to water daily at least during your brutal summer...keep the soil moist not soggy. You'll also need a weak feed since you'll be watering out the soils nutrients. The dorminacy issue you'll have to get creative with if you want it to live long. Mom might be happy to see it for a short period..but some avid gardeners also really mourn the loss of a plant. If your mom misses the midwest so desperately letting the plant die off may make matters worse. No, it will never thrive there but its not impossible. Try contacting the universities extension Master Gardeners. There has to be hosta enthusists doing this with some measure of success. There are excellent hosta books you can find. I would try to make this a challenge for both of you. Research the plant and its history together. Engage your mom rather than surprise her. Your time and interest is a greater gift. This project could keep her hands and her mind busy. She could take notes on your success and failures and share that knowledge too. Look at this as an adventure..a challenge...engage her in that with you. Good medicine. Blessings Sha

hi I live in Phoenix and hopseed bushes do marvelously well here. I just had to transplant one thats about 10feet tall. He looks very droopy so I cut him back.. will have to see if it sends out shoots from the bottom. The arizona rosewood is also known as the sissoo... I bought my daughter one and it even had to be moved after a year and a half in the ground. It is now about 3 and is doing marvelously well.. just beautiful. I'd love to have a sissoo but don't have anyplace to plant it.. I think you will be happy with your plants. where do you live? JoAnn

Hi Alex! Aside from whether or not the trees will live, and I think they will. It's generally not a good idea to stake trees so rigidly like shown in your pictures. The stake(s) should be about a foot from the trunk and the ties should be made of a strong but stretchable material (I use nylon stocking material), so the tree can sway and move to an extent when the wind blows. This is done because it allows the trunk and roots to adapt to conditions it will face later when not supported, growing stronger over time. If the tree won't stand straight by itself, another stake can be put opposite side of the tree, same distance away. That way the ties will hold the trunk in a more central position when the wind isn't blowing. Just thought I'd mention that. :-) bill

Not white, but rather a light gray. See https://www.behr.com/consumer/inspiration/exterior/stone-stucco for actual paint colors.