Nancy, from what I've seen it takes 2-3 blooming years for Itohs to hit full potential. Could be just my area, it is more of a challenge than most so others might have a different opinion.
LG, do you remember seeing that huge BV on facebook? I don't remember if he said he took any precautions in adverse weather. I would've thought you would be fine in zone 7A but late freezes can hit just about anywhere, huh....So was last spring your first with it? I don't think mine bloomed at all 1st spring, I don't have many of the bloom pictures labeled for that year and don't see any that look right. Looking forward to what it'll do this spring in all of our gardens.