The camellia had blooms when you bought it in the summer??? That is what I call a late-blooming camellia. Or maybe an extremely early bloomer...

If it really bloomed in the summer, I would leave it alone to see if it will do so again. Generally speaking, I tend to leave plants alone so they can do what they want, but if you're concerned that the plant isn't leafing out like it should, perhaps some dead-heading might 'free up' some energy reserves for the plant to get growing.

Good luck,

Virginia

Thanks Virginia,
Yes, it was FULL of red rose-type blooms in mid Summer. I was thinking that it either held on to those early Spring blooms for a long time (not sure how long they're supposed to hang on) or, the shrub's blooming cycle may have been thrown off due to the unknown shipping/storage conditions it may have encountered on its way from God knows where, before it arrived at the nursery in Brooklyn.
Its still alive after the winter outdoors, so its definitely been "stressed." I think I'll just be patient and wait to see what happens with it this year. The pics below is what it looks like now.

Jim, the leaves do show some signs of stress- I'm guessing it's just cold damage, but I'd also recommend that you check the soil periodically to be sure it isn't dried out. Camellias don't like 'wet feet', but they also don't like to dry out.

Wind can be a drying factor, so if the camellia is in a spot that's somewhat exposed, you might try to think of a way to provide some shelter for it, even if it's just something temporary that can be rigged for when a winter storm approaches...

A slow-release organic fertilizer or liquid seaweed can help a stressed plant get the nutrients it needs as it needs it, but a synthetic fertilizer can push a plant to grow before it's really ready, and that can make things worse.

I'm hoping for a milder winter next year, so that plants of all kinds can take a break from the cold.

Virginia