Wow! Nice pictures and those buds look like they are ready to open soon.

Very good pictures. I have a small plant of 'Spring's Promise' that began blooming early here in Georgia. I am glad to know it is naturally an early bloomer with a long blooming season.

Hi dave_in_nova, I am so happy to find another gardener in NOVA. I am new to camellia and any help you can provide will be very appreciated. I bought a kumasaka this fall and I am still trying to figure out how hardy it is here. Will they be ok not planted right by the foundation?

Kumasaka should be good in this area. They always say though to protect them the first couple years. That said, I planted a Kumasaka last year about 8 feet from the house and it did just fine with no protection.