The first year we had them, we did the same thing. They came back with out a problem. We haven't even got ours out yet this year. Dang rain. They're probably growing under the crawl space of the house.
I'm gonna slowly wean off of them. My hardys made it through the winter, and have 2 tiny pups coming up. Lots easier than digging those massive things up. Will still stick with my elephant ears though.
kim