Thanks for your suggestions... I apologize for taking so long to see them.
It's been a while since our initial forum entries. And up until now, my potted ferns seem to be fine. I placed the pots up against the south side of my home and water them about every 10-14 days. I have grown peonies in pots this way in past winters and the experience was a good one. Here is hoping the same is true for ferns.
I'll also be pottng some lilies I belatedly received from a grower. They, too, have done well in pots in the past.
I look back on my early years and marvel at how incredibly stupid I was. I never would have even thought of planting lilies and peonies [and alliums and roses] in pots permanently. That is one of the wonders and pleasures of gardening. If you're fortunate you learn as time passes and some of that ignorance turns into experience.