KatEnns said:
Camellia from the April series, which can grow farther north than most camellias and which blooms in early spring:
Thanks for this post, I am watching what you come up with with great interest, re Camellia April Series....I have been missing Camelia a lot here, do you think it would do ok in a zone 5b bordering 6 with winter protection in ground?
Kat,
In your zone 5b, it would need a lot of winter protection, such as a burlap wrap separated from the plant by tall stakes, in addition to placement in a protected location.
In my zone 6b, my April series camellias face east and are right next to my house. Even then, in very long and cold winters the foliage can burn. The winters of 2015-16 and 2016-17 were ideal, and the following long cool springs were perfect for blooming. These are my only camellias, although there are quite a few others in the April series:
https://www.gardenia.net/guide...
And others:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01...
There is a book called "Beyond the Camellia Belt" by William L. Ackerman, who developed some hardy camellias, especially fall bloomers, and this book recommends locating camellias on the north side of a house and wrapping them for the winter.
I have never wrapped mine and have never planted any on the north side of the house. But you might want to experiment. April Rose was especially recommended to me because it blooms slightly later than April Kiss and is less subject to loss of flowers from late freezes.
Guidance for selection, planting, winter protection and care:
https://www.americancamellias....
