1 / 4

Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow'

Brushfield's Yellow Camellia

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.

Light

Part shade to dappled shade

Water

Regular

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)