If you understand the nature of a camellia to bloom in the deep coastal south, you may be better able to determine whether they're 'worth the effort.' Here, camellias start the season loaded with buds. When they sense it's time, a few start to open. If a hard freeze comes, those that are open turn brown and drop off. When it's warm again, more open up. That repeats throughout the winter. The C. sasanquas have started, the others have different start times among the C. japonicas. "Blood of China' usually hardly begins to bloom until April and frequently the buds blast due to heat and we don't see all of them bloom. Here's one difference between a near-zone 7 and a true zone 8b where camellias thrive: When we have a 'cold spell' here the temperature may drop below freezing during the night and sub-freezing temps last only a few hours. The plants adapt to that. They have more trouble adapting to freezing temps that come and stay for days. If I were researching camellias for a colder climate, I would search all the university hort sites I could find and read all the books the library could borrow for me on camellias. I would look for those that bloom early on, like the sasanquas, and those that bloom late among the Camellia japonicas, so that I had a better chance that buds would not freeze before they opened well, or freeze just as they came into bloom. I would plan to plant in the best sheltered area I could find. My Mathotiana in in a southwest facing corner partially sheltered by the overhang of the house. Good Luck, Nell Here is a link that might be useful: Camellia

Hello! IÂm in Zone 9 or Sunset 14 Nor-Cal with somewhat similar climate; maybe slightly cooler in summer. IÂve been here a little over one year but have already found that Japonica would not survive even one hour of direct afternoon sun here -- as can be testified by whatÂs left of my KramerÂs Supreme, NuccioÂs Pearl, and TaylorÂs Perfection lol! Granted the latter is not a Japonica, but I think itÂs the wind and aridness thatÂd contributed to their demise; their roots were kept moist too, but still. The other Japonicas  CarterÂs Sunburst, Purity, CM Wilson that are planted in bright shade seem to be doing well. The Sasanquas, on the other hand, have been outstanding. IÂve a couple of Yuletide planted in full day afternoon sun and they donÂt even blink-no sign at all of any scorching! I feel so gratified; I do make sure theyÂre moist at all time tho. Same goes for Kanjiro, White Doves, and Shishigashira- all doing well with direct sun. If youÂre worried about clay soil, mix the planting hole with plenty of compost to make sure no waterlog; this would also give them a much better chance to adapt easily. Over here we have heavy clay and I find preparing the planting hole well really helps. I also enjoy TrehaneÂs book; canÂt stop looking at those lovely photos. I'd love to visit NuccioÂs should I take a trip south. Let us know how it goes with your planting.

Thank you Luis, Spartacuslives and Jay. Already I found information. Other fans put 'Ortigueira' as synonymous of 'Daikagura'. It is in the book of the Collection of Camellias of the Deputation of Pontevedra. I presented the doubt in this one Forum, precisely for the camellia " Joshua E. Youth ". This one camellia also is called 'White Daikagura'. In the documentation, it appears as a hybrid inter-specific double of Camellia japonica: (Camellia japonica ÂDaikagura x Camellia japonica ÂNobilissimaÂ) X (Camellia hiemalis 'Shiragiku x Camellia japonica ÂNobilissimaÂ). But I have many doubts, because these varieties are all of form peony or anemone. To obtain the hybridization is necessary that seeds are born. Seeds are born in flowers peonies, anemones or pink form is very rare. I do not know any case. Regards. Daniel D.F. oKintos Camellia japonica ÂJoshua E. YouthÂ

Emmie you might like to have a look at this book by Dave Huss. I have this one in my collection of digital photography books. I think you would be very happy with it as he takes you through the fundamentals in a manner which is easy to read and understand. I see he also has another book that looks like it would be suitable, although I'm not familiar with it. I'll put that link here at the bottom. There are many good books for beginners available and if you do a Google search, you'll also find websites with tutorials for using a digital camera. Good Luck. Sharon Here is a link that might be useful: Teach Yourself Visually