Camellia sasanquas start around Mid-October and I believe some bloom as late as December (there are early mid and late blooming varieties) The leaves are smaller and they tolerate more sun than the japonicas. They are followed by the larger leaved camellia japonicas. I have both. I have also had success with forsynthia (it is not recommended for the coastal south or lower than zone 8). Mine is five years old and is in moist shade. Every January the entire bush is covered with yellow flowers before the leaves come out. I believe Lorapetalem bloom intermittently all year, but I am not certain since I have had mine for a short time, but with the burgundy foliage you almost don't need the flowers.

If you are interested in seasonal flowers, either in the ground or in big pots, I grow pansies, violas, winter bulbs,
snapdragons, petunias, sweet alyssum, sweet peas (to be planted now), poppies (seeds to be planted now) and irises (Louisiana irises that bloom in March.) There are azaleas that bloom in winter and early spring and for a tree, Japanese magnolia.