{"product_id":"camellia-japonica-volunteer","title":"Camellia japonica 'Volunteer'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVolunteer Japanese Camellia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eCamellia japonica 'Volunteer'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Theaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e East Asia (Japan); cultivar selection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Volunteer' is a classic \u003cem\u003eCamellia japonica\u003c\/em\u003e grown for its elegant rose-pink blooms and lustrous, deep-green evergreen foliage. Flowering through the cooler months when little else is in bloom, it brings dependable winter colour to shaded courtyards, garden beds and formal hedges. Like all japonicas it rewards a cool root run, acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun with years of reliable performance in SA's temperate gardens.\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 2–3 m H x 1.5–2.5 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow to moderate; 15–25 cm per year; dense, upright and bushy with a naturally tidy habit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Glossy, leathery deep-green leaves; attractive year-round backdrop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rose-pink, semi-double to loose formal double blooms; mid to late season (winter–spring); non-fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Winter–spring flowering; glossy evergreen foliage year-round\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cool-season flowers offer nectar and pollen for bees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frost hardy to moderate (protect buds from severe frost); shade-tolerant; dislikes drought, alkaline soils and waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Formal hedge: 60–80 cm apart; informal screen: 80 cm–1 m apart; feature: 1.5 m clearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-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 Part shade to dappled shade; morning sun with protection from hot afternoon sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moist, humus-rich, free-draining acidic soil; mulch to keep roots cool\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: deep soak 2–3 times per week for 12–16 weeks. Established: deep soak weekly in summer (twice weekly in heatwaves); every 2–3 weeks in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Apply camellia\/azalea food after flowering; light prune to shape once blooms finish; mulch annually; iron chelate if foliage yellows\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30–50+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to temperate SA — Adelaide metro, Hills and sheltered coastal gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acidic (pH 5.0–6.5); will struggle in alkaline soils without amendment\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\u003eFormal evergreen hedge or screen in shaded, sheltered positions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWinter-flowering feature in courtyards and entryways\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderplanting beneath established canopy trees with azaleas and ferns\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'Volunteer' delivers timeless elegance when the garden needs it most — glossy year-round foliage and a generous flush of rose-pink blooms through the cooler months, all from a hardy, long-lived shrub that anchors any shaded SA garden.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"5L Pot","offer_id":49207405052156,"sku":"CAME-JAPO-VOLU-5LPOT","price":28.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/camellia-japonica-volunteer-japanese-5L-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1784867691","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/camellia-japonica-volunteer","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}