Most camellias grow and produce better flowers in partial shade.
Plants in a northern or western exposure, or otherwise protected from intense winter morning sun, will usually stand more cold weather than those in an eastern or southern exposure. Choose a planting site with well-drained soil. Do not plant where shade trees with shallow root systems will compete with camellias for nutrients and water. Soil Preparation Camellias will grow in most well-drained acid soils. The test can be made at the Soil Testing Laboratory at Auburn.