Where in Texas? Although hot everywhere, it has many differing soil types. Camellias require an acidic, well draining media, with bright but indirect (in Texas) light. When happy Camellia japonica and C. Sasanqua both have deep green, glossy foliage. Acid lovers like Azaleas and Rhododendrons, they do well in areas like the Piney Woods or Houston. If you live in Dallas, the Hill Country, or another place with alkalinity, you will have to import a proper soil. This is initially labor intensive and can be expensive. There is also the problem of alkaline irrigation water negating the acidity of the soil as time passes. This type of planting actually becomes more cost effective as its scope increases. It is much easier to maintain a micro-climate in an 8'x15' bed than a 3' diameter pocket-planting.There is an impressive planting of acid-lovers at The Dallas Arboretum. This botanical garden sits on the shore of White rock Lake (read limestone) and has alkaline black gumbo as its native soil, so it can be done. An honest horticultural recommendation to you would be to check with any local public gardens, garden clubs, and the Hort. Staff at your County Extension office. There are hundreds of varieties of Camellias to choose from. Compatibility and adaptability should rank blossom color in selecting, but I know that's not very romantic. In a well planned design plants with different bloom times, growth habits, textures, and colors all compliment each other. In addition to your Camellias and the above mentioned Rhododendrons and Azaleas, there are numerous other plants to fill in the spaces and days with their attributes. These include 40 or so ferns, flowering fruit trees, small Magnolias, blueberry bushes, Osmanthus fragrans (a killer-sweet smelling shrub with small, deep green foliage), hundreds of major and minor bulbs, Awesomely flowered Pieris japonica (you got to see it), and thousands of perennials. Don't buy the first pretty flower you see at your local home improvement warehouse. Take the time to do some research and get a lifetime out of your endeavor. Google: Camellia Society, Azalea Society (at this site search for Dallas), Ruby Mize Azalea Garden, Dallas Arboretum (check for info on plant trials). To wrap it up I've one for the detractor with the "Go Native" comment. At the Azalea Society of America site, look at the 16 flashy NATIVE species of deciduous Rhododendrons. I'm done...
