It depends... do you prefer single or double bloom? Large leaves or small? Solid color or striped? I think most camellias get rather large also- might block your window eventually. I have 2 Yuletide I like- they are red singles w/ yellow centers-dramatic. Also, a few camellias are fragrant. I have one of those- Scented Sun, it's a cream color- I think- just got it this spring. Brandy

Camellias bloom depending on the variety. Sasanquas start the flower show in Fall and Japonicas start late in the year or early next year. It seems awful early to get blooms. Any flower buds that you have will stay and mature/open at the right time. Until they do, you can review the plant label that came with the shrub. It should give you a guesstimate of when the plant will bloom (say from August-October for example). Weather issues can delay the opening of flower buds by several months from one year to the next so be aware of that. For now. mulch the plant well (3-4" of any type of acidic mulch) and try to maintain the soil moist at all times (not, wet, not dry, moist). To help you determine this, you can insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4". If it feels almost dry or dry then water; otherwise, skip watering. During the first year, fertilizing is not necessary as most camellias have fertilizer pellets provided gratis by the nursery. I would stop fertilzing now (August-September) in preparation for winter. During winter, you can water less but always water when the winter is dry (if your soil does not freeze, which it shouldn't in Z9). If it does not rain for two weeks straight, I manually water about 1g. Note: some camellia stems may now have leaf buds that you could be confusing with flower buds. Flower buds are larger. If you click on the link below, you will see a large picture of a camellia stem with two flower buds and one leaf bud. Move the cursor on top of the picture to display two squares to help you differentiate between the two. The smaller square encompasses the leaf bud. The larger square encompasses the two flower buds. Luis Here is a link that might be useful: Leaf bud or flower bud?

I always say that there oughta be a law the requires everyone in this area to grow Camellias and Gardenias. They are such a treat during the off season. My only complaint about mine is the slow growth rate - but god they put up with anything. I have some in deep deep shade way in the back of the yard and they continue to grow (though they don't bloom as much).

Julia, Mabou is from a more Northern hybridizer. After several bboming years, last year was just so-so for Citrix, but it has mnay more blooms this year than last. Mantix, Indigo Edge is about the same size bloom as Citrix. Brad, I lost my first Spoken in Parables to voles, but liked it so well I replaced it. Jean, some of the fancies take more than one season to really settle in, and I will wait6 for this for CB. Debra, my eye is too easy to catch:). Thanks, Ruth, I like too many of them myself. Chris, I really figured Indigo Edge would have trouble opening, but it opened well, early. I bought Mabou because I love the photo New York Rita posted of hers. Thanks, Jean. Sorry I've been off a a couple days. My grandkids gifted me with a virus that put me down:) kay