I bought a C. japonica this weekend which is tagged with the cultivar name 'Lester M. Allen.' It has a 4 1/2" to 5" ruffled, semi-double, pale blush pink flower with a yellow center of mostly normal stamens with an occasional petaloid one. Tag lists it as having good cold hardiness, and I did find a list from the master gardeners in Gloucester, VA, recommending C. japonica 'Lester A. Allen' (wondering if the middle initial is a typo or error) as one for southwestern Virginia gardens and showing it as having zone 7A hardiness. Does anybody have experience with this one? Thanks.

- Steve