Common name: Camellia 'Brushfield's Yellow'

Description: Camellia japonica 'Brushfield's Yellow' is one of the most distinctive and sought-after of all camellias, occupying a unique and celebrated position in the camellia world by virtue of its unusually coloured flowers — a characteristic that sets it apart from the vast majority of japonicas and makes it an object of considerable desire amongst camellia enthusiasts and discerning gardeners alike. The flowers are a beautiful and unusual creamy-white to palest ivory, centred with a dense, formal anemone-like boss of petaloids in a warm, soft primrose-yellow — a colouring that gives the impression of yellow at a glance whilst revealing on closer inspection an elegance and refinement of considerable subtlety. Blooms are produced with generous freedom from late winter through to mid-spring, depending on season and position, and the combination of the pale creamy outer petals and the warm yellow centre creates a flower of exceptional charm that associates beautifully with other spring-flowering shrubs, particularly those in blue, purple, or rich pink tones. As with all camellias, the handsome, deep glossy green, leathery evergreen foliage provides a year-round backdrop of polished, structural presence that is as valuable in summer as the flowers are in spring. 'Brushfield's Yellow' is a moderately vigorous grower of upright to bushy habit, well suited to sheltered borders, woodland garden settings, large containers, and wall-trained positions in cooler or more exposed gardens.

Other benefits: uniquely coloured and highly distinctive flowers; year-round glossy evergreen foliage; long flowering season from late winter to mid-spring; excellent in containers; suitable for wall training in exposed positions; a collector's camellia of real distinction

Wildlife attraction: bees and early-season pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2m x 1.5m

Position: partial shade preferred; shelter from cold, drying winds and early morning sun which can damage frosted buds; a west-facing position is often ideal in the UK; avoid exposed, frost-prone sites

Soil pH: requires acid to neutral soils; pH 5.5–6.5; will not thrive in alkaline or chalky conditions; benefits from ericaceous compost when grown in containers

Moisture: regular watering required, particularly when establishing and during dry spells; prefers consistently moist but well-drained, humus-rich, acid soil; water with collected rainwater in hard water areas; avoid waterlogging

Winter hardiness: hardy to approximately -10°C to -15°C in a sheltered position; flower buds may be damaged by hard frosts, particularly if followed by early morning sun; no protection required for the plant itself in most UK regions