I have grown camellias outdoors in the ground and in pots here since 1992. The first thing to consider is that some camellias are only hardy to 10' to 20'F. There are some species and cultivars that are hardy to -5' F. The less hardy ones I grow in pots and only bring them into the garage during the absolute coldest days of winter, other wise they are sheltered from the west and north winds by my house. During the summer, I take the potted ones into the backyard for partial sun and protection from the late western sun. I have had good luck planting the more hardier varieties on the north side of my house for partial sun. They are protected from the winter winds from my neighbors house just to the North.I also have one planted on the east side of a large pine tree that as done well. The winter winds here seem to dissicate the foliage too much if they have too much exposure.I have mostly planted in amended raised beds because of my poor draining clay soil. I don't like peat because once it dries its hard to get wet again, so I usually use Cotton burr dirt, compost, pine needles or fine pinebark as soil amendments. Bloom time varies, some of the species are fall blooming ( here its usually OCT/NOV), winter blooming, and some bloom in spring. I have the "April Series" from Camellia Forest Nursery and they bloom here March to May. Hope this helps. I would try to ID which varieties you have before I did anything with them.
Phil

Phil,
Thank You for the wealth of information and personal knowledge about Camellias.

~Annie

I grew camellias also while living in Tulsa. I live in Houston now and the ones I actually had in the ground did better in Tulsa than they do here. Houston soil is very alkaline, while my garden in Tulsa was acidic underneath pine trees on the north side of the house.

I grew the Ackerman hybrids which did very well, and also an old japonica variety called "Governor Mouton" - a red and white varigated variety. Depending on the weather it would bloom in late Febrary or early March every year even with the coldest of weather. The plant is about 10 ft. high when I last visited about a month ago and looked like it was loaded with buds.

With careful choosing of the most cold tolerant varieties, placement out of wind and away from winter morning sun, along with the new Ackerman introductions (both fall and spring blooming) Tulsa should be able to produce beautiful camellia plantings to rival its azalea plantings.