- Mature height
- 2m to 4m
- Mature width
- 1.5m to 3m
Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’, offered here as the Yellow Japonica Camellia, is a collector's evergreen shrub. Its white anemone form blooms hold a dense centre of creamy yellow petaloids, an unusual colour among japonicas. The leaves are deep green and glossy, and the plant grows upright and thick from the base.
Morning sun with afternoon shade gives the cleanest flowers. Soil should be acidic, rich in organic matter and well drained, with mulch laid over the shallow roots. Growth is slow to moderate, around 20 to 40 cm a year. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and protected coastal gardens, and tolerates light frost.
Specify it for courtyard gardens, woodland borders, collector plantings and large decorative containers on a shaded terrace. It rewards a position where people pass close by, because the centre of the flower is the point of interest. A refined choice for schemes where the usual camellia reds and pinks are too loud.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Yellow Japonica Camellia
What is the Yellow Japonica Camellia?
It is the japonica camellia cultivar ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’, an evergreen shrub bearing white anemone form flowers with a full centre of soft creamy yellow petaloids. True yellow is rare in this species, which is why the cultivar is sought after. Foliage is dark, glossy and dense on an upright shrub.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It grows well in cool temperate, warm temperate and subtropical districts, as well as protected coastal gardens, so it covers most of the eastern seaboard and the southern states. It needs shade and steady water in hot inland areas. Cool nights and reliable winter moisture bring out the best flower quality.
Can it be grown in a pot?
Yes, and it is often grown that way so the flowers can be positioned where they are seen. Use a wide pot of 45 cm or more with a camellia and azalea mix. Keep the mix damp but never waterlogged, feed monthly through the warmer months, and shift the pot out of afternoon summer sun.
How fast does it grow?
This one is on the slower side for a japonica, putting on roughly 20 to 40 cm a year in good conditions. That slow rate is an advantage in a small garden or a container, since the plant holds its shape for years. Warm humid summers and rich soil push it toward the upper end of that range.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes, it handles light to moderate frost once established, so it is workable through the tablelands and cooler southern gardens. Protect it for the first winter or two while the root system develops. Overhead canopy reduces frost settling on the open flowers, which are the part most likely to show damage.
Does it need sun or shade?
Filtered light or morning sun with afternoon shade. Pale flowers mark badly in hot sun, and the foliage yellows if exposed all day. Deep shade is equally unhelpful, producing few buds. A spot on the eastern or southern side of a building, or beneath high open trees, is usually the right answer.
How do I care for the Yellow Japonica Camellia?
Mulch generously, keep water up through summer so the buds set properly, and feed with an acidic fertiliser after the flowers finish. Prune only lightly, since the plant is naturally slow and shapely. Clear fallen petals to reduce petal blight and check regularly for scale, treating with horticultural oil if needed.
