Description
Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ is a beautiful evergreen shrub that is prized for its stunning, showy flowers and glossy, dark green leaves. The plant produces large, semi-double to double flowers that are a vibrant shade of pink with ruffled petals. The flowers bloom in the late winter or early spring and are highly fragrant. The leaves are glossy and dark green, providing a beautiful backdrop to the flowers. ‘Volunteer’ is an excellent choice for adding color and interest to a mixed border or as a specimen plant. The plant is relatively low-maintenance and disease-resistant, making it a popular choice among gardeners. It can be pruned after flowering to promote healthy growth and maintain its shape. The shrub can also be propagated by softwood or hardwood cuttings.
Key Facts
- Common Name(s):Camellia ‘Volunteer’
- Hardiness:Fully hardy through most of the UK
- How big will I get? Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ can grow to a height of 2m and a spread of 2m.
- Did You Know That:Camellia japonica is a popular subject in art, particularly in Asian cultures. The plant has been depicted in paintings, ceramics, and even on traditional Korean clothing.
Plant Calendar
A rough guide to how this plant will change through the year.
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Care Guide
Soil Requirements
Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ is a versatile plant and can cope with wet or drier soils, but prefers there to be decent drainage. This plant is not tolerant of alkaline soil, it requires either a neutral or acidic soil to grow.
Best Position
Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ prefers a sheltered position and is perfect for darker areas of your garden it likes either full or partial shade.
Maintenance
Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ is fairly low maintenance and doesn’t require any pruning.
Pest, Diseases and Wildlife
Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’ can have problems with scale insects, aphids and vine weevil, it can be vulnerable to certain diseases such as camellia gall. It is not considered to be toxic.
