Sochi Tea Camellia is or is one of the most cold hardy Camellia sinensis. Reported to grow well in USDA zone 6b and above. This location is Kilbride, Ontario, Canada USDA zone 6a.
I’ve been growing this in my zone 6 garden in N W Arkansas for 5 years. I have it planted next to my house. Does very well and I even harvest leaves each year to make green tea! It’s easy to process and has a wonderful fresh flavor. You can do it too!
I really want to grow this plant. All I really want to know is which plant I can buy for my zone and when to plant(buy) it, but finding conflicting info on internet. Im in zone 6a
The best advice I was ever given when planting ANY borderline hardy plant (and especially zone pushing) is to plant in spring after the last frosts so the plant can get established in the ground over the growing season. Sometime in May is ideal! There are only a few cold hardy Camellia's available for zone 6a. For sinensis species I would only plant "Sochi". For japonica species there are several, "April Dawn", "Winters Snow Man" to name a few. If you're in Canada, they are very hard to come by unless you live in BC's lower west coast (where they can grow any Camilla with ease). In the U.S. you'll have no problem with mail order! Hope that helps
