This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly.

HOME

PLANTS

Cacti & Succulents
Indoor Plants
- All Plants
- Philodendron
- Calathea
- Sansevieria
- Peperomia
- Hoya
- Ferns
- Carnivorous Plants
Outdoor Plants
- All
- Shrubs
- Acer®
- Alstroemeria®
- Hydrangeas®
- Tropical Plants
- Fruit Snacks®
- Grasses®
- Climbing Plants
- Conifers
New varieties
Roses
Baby Plants
Mystery Box®

PLANT FINDER

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

HYDROCULTURE

GARDENING

Pots and Planters

PLANT CARE

GIFT CARD

BLOG

HOME
PLANTS
- Cacti & Succulents
- Indoor Plants
  - All Plants
  - Philodendron
  - Calathea
  - Sansevieria
  - Peperomia
  - Hoya
  - Ferns
  - Carnivorous Plants
- Outdoor Plants
  - All
  - Shrubs
  - Acer®
  - Alstroemeria®
  - Hydrangeas®
  - Tropical Plants
  - Fruit Snacks®
  - Grasses®
  - Climbing Plants
  - Conifers
- New varieties
- Roses
- Baby Plants
- Mystery Box®
PLANT FINDER
- Indoor Plants
- Outdoor Plants
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
HYDROCULTURE
GARDENING
- Shop all gardening
- Lawns
  - Grass seed
  - Rolled turf
Pots and Planters
- Globee®
- Mica® Pots
- Capi® Pots
- Pots
- Lechuza
- Orchid Pots
- Terraneo
- Plantopia Baskets
PLANT CARE
GIFT CARD
BLOG

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® Premium 15cm

Name: Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® Premium 15cm
Brand: Greenleaf Garden Center
SKU: CamellVolunteer15cm
Price: 30.0 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

€30,00

Quantity

Evergreen flowering shrub · Theaceae · Large colour-changing anemone blooms

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’®

A classic lady with modern bicolour style—respect 🙇

Family: Theaceae · Pot diameter: 15 cm · Height: approximately 35 cm

Pink-red blooms with a white edge
Changing seasonal colour
Glossy evergreen foliage
Selected by Mark Jury

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® makes each new flower something to look forward to, as its colours develop through the season. Broad outer petals surround a generous, ruffled centre, giving the large anemone-form blooms their distinctive depth. Early flowers are soft pink with white edges; later blooms deepen in tone and the last may be red. Set against glossy foliage, this changing display gives a single camellia the variety and interest of a small collection.

Its compact upright form suits a focal position near an entrance or seating area, where the changing flowers become part of the daily view. Dark foliage gives depth behind lower, lighter planting and keeps the composition complete once the flowering season has passed.

What makes it special

‘Volunteer’ is not simply bicoloured; its appearance shifts as the flowering season advances.

Anemone-form flowers

Large guard petals frame a dense centre of waved petaloids, producing a strongly three-dimensional bloom.

Colour in sequence

Early flowers are paler and pink-white, while later blooms deepen towards red.

A dark evergreen backdrop

Glossy leaves remain ornamental all year and intensify the colour of every flower.

Why you will love it: each flush looks slightly different while retaining the cultivar’s unmistakably luxurious flower form.

In the garden & on the balconyPlacement & plant combinationsIn sheltered partial shade as a winter focal point in an acid border or a large container.

Planting position

Where gentle morning light meets shelter

Place it on an east- or north-facing side, beneath a light high canopy, or in a courtyard sheltered from drying wind. Avoid positions where winter morning sun hits frozen buds.

Allow room for the crown to become a medium-sized shrub and keep the front layer lower so flowers remain visible. Use a stable deep pot for container growing.

Colour & compatibility

Combinations that work

White edges and pink-red centres balance with deep green, cream and cool pink. Companions should share acid to neutral soil, partial shade and even moisture without saturation.

Sarcococca confusa — adds a lower evergreen body and winter scent in the same sheltered partial shade
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ — brings soft golden movement at the base in cool, humus-rich and free-draining soil
Helleborus × hybridus — provides low winter flowers in cream or plum shades without hiding the camellia blooms

Care at a glance

Light

Bright partial shade or gentle morning sun; protect from hot afternoon light.

Watering

Even moisture, especially from new growth through flower-bud development.

Climate & hardiness

Hardy in cool winters, but flowers and buds benefit from shelter from frost and drying wind.

Safety

Not intended for consumption; keep it as an ornamental plant.

Detailed careComplete care guideAcid soil, even water, sheltered light, moderate feeding, post-flowering pruning and bud care.

Light & shelter

Choose bright partial shade with protection from strong sun, drying wind and abrupt frost.

Acid soil

It needs humus-rich, acid to neutral and well-drained soil. Alkaline water or soil may cause chlorosis.

Watering

Maintain even moisture without waterlogging. Summer drought can cause flower buds to drop later.

Feeding

Use an ericaceous feed after flowering and stop strong applications by midsummer.

Pruning

It normally needs only cleaning and light shaping immediately after flowering, before the next buds begin to form.

Buds & flowers

Shelter from morning sun after frost and from heavy rain on open blooms. Remove fallen petals as routine hygiene.

Development over timeFrom the first bud to a changing performanceSeasonal development is most visible in the progressive colour shift and the maturing evergreen crown.

Establishment

Keep roots cool and evenly moist through the first year. Limited top growth is normal while the plant adjusts.

Flower-bud formation

Buds form on the current year’s growth and require consistent water from summer until they open.

Colour progression

As the season advances, blooms usually deepen from pink-white to stronger pink-red and finally red.

Mature habit & dimensions

Long-term maturity

Height 2 mSpread 1.5 mCompact upright shrub

A compact shrub with upright branches, broad glossy leaves and full flowers with ruffled centres.

Form through time

Seasonal cycle

Evergreen foliage

Early flowersSoft pink flowers with white margins on the broad petals.

Late flowersColours deepen towards red and the white edging may disappear.

Fresh growthAfter flowering, fresh green shoots extend the dense crown.

The colour shift appears in successive flowers through the flowering season. The foliage stays green and the same camellia continues with fresh growth.

What to expect after planting: a small number of striking blooms on a young plant and a larger display as mature flowering shoots increase.

History & originCultivar originA camellia that flowered before grafting and was dedicated to volunteers in 2001.

At Tikorangi in Taranaki, New Zealand, Mark Jury was growing camellias from seed to use as grafting rootstocks. One flowered before it could be grafted. Its full blooms, pink with white edges early in the season and deeper red later, were distinctive enough for Jury to retain it as a new cultivar.

The name ‘Volunteer’ suited its unexpected arrival: Jury described the plant as having volunteered itself. Ten years of trials and building up plant stocks followed before it was ready for wider distribution.

In 2001 the camellia was linked with the United Nations International Year of Volunteers. It appeared on a New Zealand Post stamp in March, with its release announced for June that year. The nursery discovery had gained a second meaning: a flower dedicated to the people who give their time to others.

Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance

Anemone form from transformed stamens

The anemone or pincushion form develops when part of the central stamen whorl is developmentally converted into petaloids. Broad outer guard petals remain, while petaloids and residual fertile stamens create the textured centre.

One clone, successive shades

The same genetic individual can open flowers from soft pink and white to deeper pink and red during the season. These are not separate cultivars, but shifts in phenotypic expression as flowers develop and open under changing conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Six practical answers about position, watering and long-term growth.

01Why are the flowers different colours?

This is characteristic of ‘Volunteer’. Early blooms are paler pink-white and late blooms may become deeper red.

02Does it need ericaceous compost?

Yes, especially in a pot. An acidic, humus-rich and free-draining mix reduces the risk of chlorosis.

03When should it be pruned?

Immediately after flowering and only as needed. Later pruning may remove growth that would carry the next buds.

04Can it stay in a container?

Yes, in a large stable pot with ericaceous mix, open drainage and consistent watering.

05Why are the buds falling?

Common causes include summer drought, abrupt moisture changes, hot roots or frost.

06Can it take Greek sunshine?

Only gentle morning or filtered light. Hot afternoon sun may scorch leaves and flowers.

Cart (0)

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® Premium 15cm

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® Premium 15cm

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’®

What makes it special

Anemone-form flowers

Colour in sequence

A dark evergreen backdrop

Where gentle morning light meets shelter

Combinations that work

Care at a glance

Light

Watering

Climate & hardiness

Safety

Light & shelter

Acid soil

Watering

Feeding

Pruning

Buds & flowers

Establishment

Flower-bud formation

Colour progression

Mature habit & dimensions

Form through time

Anemone form from transformed stamens

One clone, successive shades

Frequently asked questions

Camellia japonica ‘Volunteer’® Premium 15cm — Care & Tips

We take care of the packaging!

With specially designed boxes, we ensure that the plants will reach you intact, no matter what they encounter on the way!

All plants in 3L pots or larger are placed in individual boxes that secure the plant at the base of the pot, preventing it from tipping over.

The cardboard used for the boxes is specially made to provide resistance to potential impacts during transport.

Recently Viewed