{"product_id":"kick-off-camellia-camellia-japonica-kick-off","title":"Kick Off Camellia - Camellia japonica 'Kick Off'","description":"\u003cp\u003eKick Off Camellia (\u003cem\u003eCamellia japonica\u003c\/em\u003e 'Kick Off') is a fast growing, hardy evergreen shrub, 2m to 3m high and 1.5m to 2.5m wide, with glossy leaves and big pink double flowers striped with a deeper pink. The blooms are peony-like, and no two are quite alike. It makes an eye-catching feature plant or a flowering hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStriped, peony-like flowers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Big pink double blooms are streaked and speckled with deeper pink, with golden stamens showing between the petals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEvery bloom a little different.\u003c\/strong\u003e Occasional flowers open all light pink or all dark pink. That is normal for this variety and part of its charm, not a fault.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuicker than most.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is fast growing for a camellia, so it fills out sooner than the slower varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy evergreen foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves stay green and shiny all year, so it works as a screen between flowerings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardy once settled.\u003c\/strong\u003e Japonicas cope with cool climates, and this one tolerates frost once it is established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it where the flowers can be seen from a window or path. It reaches 2m to 3m, so allow room around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering hedges.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1m apart in a single row. Its speed makes it one of the quicker camellias to form a hedge, though it still takes several seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e A big container works for a young plant. Move it on to a larger pot or into the ground as it grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Kick Off Camellia in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sunny or partly shaded, with morning or afternoon sun, and shelter from strong wind and exposed sites. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and established plants tolerate frost. In warm humid gardens, choose a spot with some afternoon shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in well drained soil prepared with mulch. Camellias prefer acidic conditions, so avoid lime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 12 weeks or until established, then deeply in dry spells. Feed with a camellia specific fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune straight after flowering and no later, so you keep next season's buds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Kick Off Camellia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. For a camellia it grows at a good pace, so a tube is an economical start for a hedge or a feature plant. Plants travel upright and settle in within a few weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/camellias\"\u003eBrowse our full camellia range\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/flowering-plants\"\u003eMore flowering plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/discover-everything-about-camellia-bushes\"\u003eCamellia bushes: varieties, growing and care\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are some flowers a different colour from the rest?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOccasional blooms open all light pink or all dark pink instead of striped. That is normal for Kick Off and is not a sign of a problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFaster than most camellias. It is still a gradual grower compared with many shrubs, so allow a few seasons for a hedge to close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCamellias are not considered toxic to cats and dogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790229471551,"sku":"CAM-JAP-KICKOF-tube","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/kick-off-camellia-camellia-japonica-kick-off.jpg?v=1792196949","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/kick-off-camellia-camellia-japonica-kick-off","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}