I just purchased six of these plants & was planning to put them in the ground tomorrow. Im in Southern Ohio and it looks like Summer is coming early this year (our temp was 85 today). We're supposed to get some rain next week so I really hope its not to late to plant these, especially since I just bought so many of them.

dupefl: Not sure when I can get to that. It's maybe 4 or 5 years old from cutting. Can't recall exactly. It's getting quite large. Initially when it started from a cutting, it grew not too compactly. But after it started to bloom, it assumed the more typical compact form with short internodes between blooms. If that helps. It's about 5 feet high. Parts of it have broken off in storms. I have another small one started. And even though it has about 5 growing tips, none have bloomed yet. For some reason I'm unable to edit my initial post.

Try the Norfolk Botanical Garden.

Hello, Eric. For the best answer to your question, I will defer to the Virginia Camellia Society Members on this link: http://www.genserva.com/vcs/ But be advised, you are not the only one with similar issues. I too get unpredictable weather (cold temps, warmer temps, cold temps again, etc). We just went thru a couple of drops to 13F and 15F that resulted in delayed blooming and also in a few browned out blooms. I currently have no blooming camellias as a result. Does this story sound familiar to you? Ha! I know, I l know. What a pain. My solution has been three fold. (1) do what you planned to do, (2) make sure that the camellias are well mulched aaaaand watered deeply the night before the temps plummet and (3) get ideas from nearby gardens (city gardens or other growers). Most of my camellias are Japonicas which bloom this time of the year. Unless temps plummet and then they either (a) pause and continue blooming later or (b) the flower buds brown out and fall (does not happen often but it does happen). As long as the flower buds have not browned out, you will get bloomage. The longest episode of delayed blooms for me was one that stopped in January and restarted in mid-March. Obviously, sasanquas and the Autumn Series will bloom early and not be often affected by this problem. On the opposite side of the calendar, the April Series, the Winter Series and camellias advertised as blooming "late" or "very late" would be possible choices as well. Note: these shrubs tend to bloom "around" the coldest time of the year, not bloom "right on through" it. After a cold spell that makes your camellias stop blooming, I would head over to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens to see if you find any camellias that are still blooming. Maybe wait 1 week, 2 weeks after the cold spell and then go? Do note that most camellias will have issues blooming in the coldest part of the year. Your location and mine are not locations where they naturally grow. Enjoy Nuccio's Gem. I wanted one but the local nursery ran out and I bought Nuccio's Pearl. Then the dogs helped to kill it so I replaced it with one similar to NG called White by the Gate. Now if I can only convince it that the weather will be warm for the next two weeks.... ;o) Note that there are some people that winter protect camellias (especially potted ones) in the hope of preventing this blooming problem and actual damage to branches. However, your white 6 footer is now getting to be a tad "large"/"big" for that. I sometimes prepare smaller shrubs like hydrangeas for winter but a 6' or taller camellia starts to push the envelope. I am talking about things like layers of horticultural fleece draped over bushes and secured to prevent being blown away... Does this help? Luis