{"product_id":"camellia-japonica-midnight","title":"Camellia japonica 'Midnight'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMidnight Camellia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCamellia japonica\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e'Midnight'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTheaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eCultivar (species native to Japan and China)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvergreen medium to large shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBold, dramatic and deeply elegant, Camellia japonica 'Midnight' is one of the most striking camellias available, producing large deep red semi-double flowers that are truly arresting against its backdrop of dense, glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from late winter through to mid-spring, it delivers a show-stopping display when the garden is still emerging from its quieter winter months.\u003cbr\u003eVigorous and upright in habit, 'Midnight' suits Adelaide's sheltered garden positions beautifully, where it will reward patience with a long-lived, increasingly impressive specimen over many years. It excels as a feature shrub, informal hedge or espalier against a sheltered wall, and its deep red flowers create a rich contrast with surrounding greenery that few other winter-flowering plants can match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2.0–4.0 m H x 1.5–2.5 m W (vigorous upright habit; can be maintained smaller with pruning)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSlow to moderate; 15–25 cm per year; long-lived and increasingly impressive with age\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLarge, glossy dark green ovate leaves with finely serrated edges; dense, evergreen and attractive year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLarge semi-double to loose anemone-form blooms up to 12 cm across in deep, rich red; produced in profusion from late winter through mid-spring (July to October in SA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNot fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDense glossy foliage year-round; large deep red flowers from late winter through spring providing bold colour when much of the garden is quiet; prune and feed after flowering in late spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eLate winter and spring flowers provide nectar for bees and pollinators; dense foliage provides shelter and nesting habitat for birds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eFrost hardy once established; shelter from cold winds and early morning sun essential as buds and flowers can be damaged; heat sensitive in exposed positions; dislikes alkaline soils and waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eTight hedge: 1 plant per metre (80 cm–1.0 m spacing); Standard hedge\/screen: 1 plant per 1.2–1.5 m; Specimen: 2.0–2.5 m apart; suitable for large containers (50 cm+)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eNon-toxic to cats and dogs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePart shade to filtered sun; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal; avoid hot western sun in inland Adelaide and early morning direct sun which can damage frosted buds and flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eHumus-rich, well-drained acidic to neutral soil essential; incorporate compost and aged manure before planting; avoid Adelaide's alkaline soils unless heavily amended or grow in containers with camellia\/azalea potting mix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEstablishment: deep soak 2–3 times\/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 7–10 days in summer; fortnightly in spring and autumn; monthly in winter; mulch well to retain moisture and keep roots cool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ePrune lightly after flowering (late spring\/early summer) to shape and encourage bushy growth; avoid pruning in summer and autumn when flower buds are forming; feed with camellia\/azalea fertiliser in spring after pruning and again in late summer; apply organic mulch annually; monitor for scale insects and sooty mould\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eVery long-lived; decades to generations with correct soil conditions and care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBest in sheltered Adelaide positions; coastal suburbs, protected south and east-facing aspects and shaded courtyard gardens; suitable for Adelaide Hills in frost-protected positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAcidic to neutral (pH 5.0–6.5); sensitive to alkaline soils; test and amend regularly or grow in containers with specialist potting mix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold feature specimen for shaded garden beds, woodland-style gardens and sheltered courtyard plantings where the large deep red blooms create maximum winter impact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFormal or informal hedge for shaded south and east-facing boundaries that need year-round structure with a spectacular seasonal flowering display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEspalier against a sheltered south or east-facing fence or wall to create a dramatic flat winter-flowering feature in a narrow garden space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombine with Daphne, Hellebores and shade-loving ferns for a layered, richly textured cool-season garden that peaks through winter and spring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge container specimen for sheltered patios and courtyards; use camellia\/azalea potting mix and feed regularly for best results\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Midnight' is a camellia with genuine presence. The large, deep red blooms are richly dramatic against the glossy dark foliage and arrive exactly when the garden needs bold colour most. Slow to get going but extraordinary once established, this is the kind of long-lived garden plant that only becomes more impressive as the years pass.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"5L Pot","offer_id":48949246198012,"sku":"CAME-JAPO-MIDN-5L","price":28.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/camellia-japonica-midnight-5L-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1775678751","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/camellia-japonica-midnight","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}