Helath declines shortly after planting a re typically de to planting problems -- what did you do to the soil/planting hole -- and/or follow-up irrigation.

How are you watering? Hand, sprinkler, drip, or?

Right now the most important place to water is the original rootball -- because that's where the roots are.

Stick a finger into the rootball.
Is it dry, moist, or wet?
Water accordingly.

Hi Marla. Your plants look a bit water logged and in a low point maybe digging them up carefully and mounding them up above the ground soil level would help also adding some light well draining soil to the planting hole would be good too. Camellia sinensis as well as pretty much all types of camellia hate standing water and get root disease very easly. which could be causing your die off. If this was use full at all check out my youtube page, where i have a bunch of tips. I am growing camellia from seed stock as well, which some of my videos on that might be helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: TheItalian Garden

Yeah, I was going to say that the soil looks awfully wet-like. I also noticed a lack of mulch.

Add 3-4" of organic mulch up to the "start" of the garden soil or several inches after that. It should help reduce the amt of water and the frequency of waterings. Try 1/2 to 1-gallon of water per watering if a finger inserted into the soil to a depth of 4" feels dry or almost dry.

Thank you all, I'll watch the videos and correct accordingly! / mulch! Will ost a follow up when they get better!

Marla,

I see you are in Zone 4. Are the camelias you planted hardy there? Sometimes the big box stores sell plants that are NOT hardy in that zone.

If you grow camelias in Zone 4 I am gonna be one happy camper!