Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow'
Brushfield's Yellow Camellia
- Family
- Theaceae
- Height
- 6 to 12 ft
- Width
- 6 to 8 ft
- Flower color
- Creamy-white outer petals with a central ruff of pale primrose-yellow petaloids
- Foliage color
- Dark, glossy evergreen leaves
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Part shade to dappled shade
- Water
- Regular
- Maintenance
- Low to moderate; prune lightly after flowering to shape and remove dead wood or spent blooms
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Evergreen structure offers year-round shelter for small birds; early-season flowers may provide pollen/nectar for pollinators
About this plant
Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow' is an evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage and cream-and-yellow flowers. Blooms are anemone-form to semi-double, with creamy white outer petals around a cushion of primrose yellow petaloids. Flowers appear from late winter into early spring, often into March or April, adding color to shaded garden areas.
Raised in Australia in the 1970s by Keith Brushfield, this cultivar was selected from Camellia japonica seedlings for its yellow-toned center and dependable blooming. It has an upright, compact habit and dense branching, suiting woodland gardens, shaded borders, and spots near paths where its flowers and evergreen foliage can be appreciated up close.
Works well in
Foundation Plantings · Specimen Plants · Woodland Gardens · Shade Gardens
Companion plants
Skimmia · Japanese maple · Ajuga · Autumn fern · Snowdrops · Hellebore
Design tip
Creamy flowers with soft yellow centers can gently brighten a shady garden without competing with surrounding plants. A spot near a path or favorite window brings the blooms into view, while layers of deep green foliage nearby create a lush, peaceful backdrop.
