Camellia japonica 'Volunteer'

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camellia 'Volunteer'

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An upright, evergreen shrub with ovate, glossy, leathery, dark green leaves and, from midwinter to early spring, double, reddish-pink flowers with white petal margins

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Theaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Camellia are evergreen shrubs with simple, ovate, glossy, leathery leaves and showy flowers with solitary or clustered flowers early in the year
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, acid soil in sheltered shade. Protect buds & flowers from cold, dry winds and early morning sun. Feed in mid-spring and early summer with a sequestered iron fertiliser. If container grown, use ericaceous compost. Suitable for wall training.

Propagation

Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Pruning group 8. Best left unpruned except for removal of unsightly shoots and deadheading, unless some shaping is required, and if so, as it is early flowering, carry out carry out thereafter.

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, aphids and vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to camellia gall and camellia petal blight