Ok, so this isn`t something that has to be done every year. But for at least the first two years, and maybe three. Until the plant becomes established. Once established camellias are quite hardy.
If nothing else, you should apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant, to a thickness of 4-6 inches. Be careful not to put it right up against the trunk, and make sure you remove the extra mulch in the spring. The best material is long pine needles, but dry leaves work as well.
Then to take it one step further, you can wrap the plant to help keep the wind off of it. I use black weed block fabric. the fabric type, not the plastic kind. I feel that it blocks the wind better than other alternatives , such as burlap.
First insert a circle of bamboo stakes around the base of the plant. Just outside of the branch spread. Wrap the fabric around and secure it with clothes pins or some other type of clips. metal paper binding clips work very well, but they get rusty
I am experimenting with something to take it even further. On plants that I am particularly worried about. I am putting frost fabric over the top . This will let light is, while completely blocking the wind. But it will also allow for air exchange It will have to be removed in the case of a heavy snow, however.
The photos show each of the three stages of winter protection.
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