First, I don't thing you have a tacky garden at all ... in fact, it looks kind of festive, those red and green pots! I do use some very effective "frost blanket" netting when we go into the 20's for a while - I originally didn't think it would work because it is so thin and has a webby weave, but it is very durable. I just anchor it with whatever is handy, since we also have a lot of wind.
(
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VBLOTE/)
With the blanket, I'm seeing much earlier leaf growth than before (when I didn't use anything) but I don't know if that will translate into earlier blooming. I also have one plant in a bed I didn't protect and it ended up thinking the warmer weather this winter meant it was time to send up a scape (unsuccessfully) and so I, too, wonder if that will delay or eliminate having a scape on it to bloom later this year.
