Gladioli

They'll be fine. They are extremely tough and as long as they have not been very wet and rotted - and they cope well with wet - they are very likely to be ready to grow again this year. They will also multiply quite fast, so if you leave them in the pots you'll have to make sure that they do not become so crowded that they do not flower. If you put them in the ground, they will be good value in that they look good and they fill a space quite quickly - but you could end up having to dig up unwanted corms fairly often.

Just a thought you could put the pots somewhere sheltered 

I've now scared myself. I live in south wales where it does not  get as cold as further north and east. They do fine left in the ground all winter and multiply well, mystifyingly coming up a couple of feet from the rest of the clump. Colder climates are supposed to dig them up and protect them.

I planted a supermarket packetful in the veg garden about 8 years ago and I get flowers every year, even though it's regularly -7°-10° in the winter.

So you feel the same as me about their toughness, Busy-Lizzie. That's a relief! I'm not completely off-the-wall, then.

I had some gladioli in troughs last year, came up well and performed well. I left them in the ground over winter. Had to replant one of the troughs a few weeks ago as it had spilt in the cold weather and low and behold, the gladi bulbs were enourmous (compared to planting size - almost trippled in size) and very firm, golden outer skin. they looked beautiful. needless to say, I repotted them in a new trough and looking forward to seeing what they do this year.

It wont hurt them if you bring them in the greenhouse for a few weeks while the weather is colder (where are you?). I have left mine where they are due to the fact that they are planted in amongst other things and too much hastle to bring them in. Plus from my dug up ones, they seem to be handling it quite well outside (warmer down here)

Grew some in a large tub a few years ago; after a couple of years they slowly "disappeared" - I thought it was the cold, maybe I inadvertantly let them dry out!

I planted some in the ground last year (at the right time), some spikes came out very well, but late & by the time nearly half of them tried to flower it was too late & after an early hard frost no more flowers. I lifted them 'cos I thought I should up here; bunged them in newspaper in a box in the garage - barely above freezing.  Looked at them yesterday expecting a slimy mush & they look very happy .  I cut off their stems & put them into paper bags, maybe I should plant them as early as possible as they seem much hardier than I thought. Maybe into pots soon. 

I've had them in half barrels.uprotectected (Hampshire), for the last three years and they have just got better and here's a small shoot poking through in one right now so fingers crossed they will do well again this year.

do they need full sun or would part shade be ok

They prefer full sun but will do fine in partial shade as long as they are in sun for some of the day. If the sun shows up!