Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Camellia x williamsii ‘Buttermint’
Buttermint Camellia
- Family
- Theaceae
- Height
- 6 to 8 feet
- Width
- 4 to 6 feet
- Flower color
- Creamy white-yellow
- Foliage color
- Dark green, glossy
- Bloom time
- Late winter to early spring
- Light
- Partial shade to full sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; prune after flowering to shape
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees and other pollinators
About this plant
Camellia x williamsii 'Buttermint' produces abundant, fully double flowers from midwinter into spring, opening creamy white to pale buttery yellow with warmer yellow tones toward the center. Small, glossy dark green leaves form dense evergreen foliage that provides a polished backdrop for the softly colored blooms. The miniature flowers have neatly layered petals and a lightly fragrant character, creating a delicate display along the branches for several months.
Originating at Nuccio's Nurseries in Altadena, California, 'Buttermint' was introduced in the 1990s and selected for its unusual flower color, profuse blooming, and upright habit. Its refined appearance works beautifully in woodland gardens, mixed shrub borders, foundation plantings, containers, and specimen settings, where its winter flowers provide welcome color during the quiet season.
Works well in
Foundation Plantings · Specimen Plants · Woodland Gardens · Shade Gardens
Companion plants
Skimmia · Japanese forest grass · Epimedium · Pieris · Trillium · Foamflower
Design tip
Creamy yellow flowers offer a softer alternative to the pinks and reds common among camellias, opening up interesting color combinations. Pair their gentle warmth with chartreuse, silver, or deep green foliage to create a sophisticated palette that brightens the late-winter garden without feeling stark.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
