Camellia japonica Brushfields Yellow

Brushfields Yellow is one of those Camellias that gardeners fall in love with and never let go. It is one of the most popular varieties in Australia for good reason, the flowers are unlike anything else in the Camellia world. Each bloom is a generous, informal double in the softest shades of creamy yellow to white, with a warm buttery centre that glows against the backdrop of glossy dark green foliage. They appear through winter and into spring, bringing a gentle, luminous quality to shaded corners of the garden when colour is most welcome.

A reasonably slow grower, Brushfields Yellow takes its time to reach 2-4m tall and wide, which makes it a wonderful long-term investment for a garden. Its dense, shrubby habit suits hedging and screening beautifully, and it responds well to clipping if you want to keep it tidy or train it into a more formal shape. It is equally at home in a large container on a shaded courtyard or patio, where the flowers can be enjoyed up close through the cooler months.

Key Features:

• Soil: Adaptable to most soil types, though it performs best in a slightly acidic, free-draining soil with good organic matter content. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils which can cause root rot and yellowing leaves.
• Light: Semi shade to full shade. Brushfields Yellow flowers best when protected from harsh afternoon sun, which can bleach the creamy yellow blooms. A position with morning sun and dappled afternoon shade is ideal.
• Watering: Medium to moderate water needs. Keep moist during dry periods, particularly through summer and while the plant is establishing. Avoid letting the root zone dry out completely, as this can cause bud drop before flowering.
• Fertiliser: Apply a slow release fertiliser formulated for camellias or acid-loving plants in late winter after flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers which promote leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If leaves are yellowing, apply a chelated iron or camellia-specific trace element supplement to correct any nutrient deficiency.
• Maintenance: Low maintenance. Mulch well around the base to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and suppress weeds. Prune lightly after flowering in spring to shape and control size. Remove any dead or crossing branches to maintain good airflow through the plant.
• Flowering: Flowers through winter and into spring, with the main display typically occurring from July through to October. The informal double flowers are long-lasting on the plant and hold their colour well in cool, shaded conditions.

Brushfields Yellow is one of the few Camellias that produces flowers with a distinctly yellow tone, which makes it highly sought after and a real talking point in the garden. To keep the colour at its best, avoid planting in a position that gets harsh afternoon sun, which can bleach the flowers. If you notice yellowing leaves, check the soil pH first. Camellias prefer a slightly acidic soil and yellowing is often a sign the pH is too high, which locks out iron and magnesium.

At Plant Nest, we make it easy to buy plants online with delivery direct to your door. Every plant is hand-selected for quality, carefully packed, and backed by expert advice so you can grow with confidence.