Hmmm. They require both heat and acidic soil, so I don't think they do very well in Texas. Have you tried asking a "higher up" in the company why they don't ship here?

Not yet, I just started looking into it. I'm on the gulf coast with slightly acidic soil and mostly moist conditions for the majority of the year. I'm sure I could grow a plant or two, without too many issue (I wouldn't mind trying). I'm going to look more into it. I'm hoping someone has some experience with it on this site.

There has been a gentleman on the camelia forum who has grown sinensis in texas. If memory serves. He maybe lives/lived in fort worth?

There are restrictions on shipping camellias to Texas.

CAMELLIA FLOWER BLIGHT

PEST: Camellia Flower Blight (Sclerotinia camelliae)

STATES REGULATED: All areas outside the state of Texas.

MATERIALS REGULATED: Camellia plants that are potted or balled with soil on roots; flower buds showing color; open camellia flowers; or cut camellia flowers originating from a quarantined area.

RESTRICTIONS: Quarantined articles originating from quarantined areas are prohibited entry into Texas except, camellia plants with buds showing no trace of color may enter the state of Texas provided a certificate issued by an authorized inspector of the state of origin accompanies each shipment stating that no color is showing in the buds of the plant.

So weird. My 13 yo son was asking me a ton of questions about tea, so I hit up wikipedia. When I finished, I jumped on here to see what was going on and... More tea questions! And interesting answers.

I posted this on the camellia forum and got that answer. It is interesting. Thanks for all the replies! Has anyone here had experience growing tea?