Camellias look quite exotic and yet are fairly easy to grow.   They prefer acidic soil conditions, are Spring flowering and have glossy evergreen foliage.  Camellia sinensis with small insignificant white flowers is in fact the tea plant from which we get our daily brew.    Originally from China and almost kept under lock and key to prevent other counties getting hold of it tea is now grown in many countries throughout the World including a small trial in Ayrshire, Scotland.   Found growing naturally in woodland settings from Northern India through to Japan they prefer a little shelter from cold drying winds.   The flowers are also prone to frost/Sun damage although this doesn't really cause any permanent damage so if you can find a site which protects the flowers from early morning Sun this allows the frost to melt before the sun can scorch the ice covered petals.     So with a little care this stunning plant will reward you with many years of early Spring flowering colour.