| The cold-hardy varieties developed by Drs. Ackerman, Parks and Clifford (the Winter Series and a few others) and Camellia Forest Nursery (April Series) allow people in your zone (6) to plant camellias in the ground. That is the limit though. I have not seen any that is officially advertised for Zone 5. Camellia Forest Nursery's website can be seen by clicking here. You can also call Nuccio's Nursery for additional varieties at 626-794-3383 (sorry, they do not have a website). Luis |
Here is a link that might be useful: Very Cold Hardy Camellias
| The cold hardy camellias we generally understand are C. japonica or C. oleifera hybrids. Many do not familiar with some camellia species which are very cold hardy, growing at high mountain, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet elevation. The plant can be loaded with flowers at 2 to 3&1/2 inches in diameter also with neat leaves. Although the flower is single but the petals and texture are very attractive. I am very sure in near future that the new cold-hardy hybrids camellias are coming. The flowers will be simi-double, in deep pink or red. The new flower will be larger. Here is a flower picture of C. tenuvalvis, Shell pink at 3&1/2 inches. It grows at 10,000 feet elevation at Sichuan Province in China discovered in 1989. Notice the pollen and anthers are in wine red. The flower is not that shabby. At end of June, the flower buds are well formed. I am very sure this camellia will stand cold. |
Here is a link that might be useful: [IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a182/wangjohn666/Ctenuvalvis-postingplant.jpg[/IMG]
![[IMG]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a182/wangjohn666/Ctenuvalvis-postingplant.jpg[/IMG]](http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a182/wangjohn666/Ctenuvalvis-postingplant.jpg){kind=link}