Natalie,
Give them a shot. I waited a few years after successfully growing most other cps before trying them out, due partly to fear I'd just kill them. I haven't found them difficult at all. They grew well in my highland chamber, and I do give them an adequate dormancy. I did manage to really harm one during a transplant (even though I was careful), to the point I thought I had killed it. But I kept watering it and within a few months, it came back to life in full force, and is now doing very nicely. I guess the biggest key is just being patient. They initially ( for the first year) grew very, very slowly for me. Note that they no longer grow slowly for me.
Plus, you live in a great place to grow them outdoors. You'll do great!