It depends on what you mean by succeed, Jim. I have seen some excellent looking specimens for sale in pots in B&Q and such like but I don't think that they would do very well if kept permanently in pots. Mind, I have never tried it.

We grow them in pots here, because they aren't happy with our soil, but we keep them in at least 30 cm terra cotta pots.

~ all mine are in pots as we don't have the right soil but I do move them up when necessary~ the local hellebore nursery (Farmyard Nursery Llandysul) has polytunnels full of huge stock plants in pots~

Thanks I think I'll give it a go.Jim