Camellias originated from eastern Asia, where they can be found from Japan to Indonesia. If you can mimic local conditions to those found where camellias originated, you might be able to grow them. For example, they require protection from the afternoon sun (say, shade starting before 11am-12pm during the summer months), well-draining acidic-to-slightly alkaline soil and... as constantly moist soil as you can (no bone dry periods followed by wet soil followed by bone dry periods again, etc).

I HAVE GREAT LUCK GROWING THEM OUTDOORS HERE IN WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA UNDER LARGE SHADE TREES. SOIL IS RICH AND MOIST. USE LOTS OF LEAF MULCH AND ONLY FERTILIZE WITH LIQUID FISH EMULSION OR PLANTS WILL BURN UP. PAUL.