Yellow camellia flowers are the rarest color for camellias, adding a unique look to your garden. Despite their rarity, yellow camellias have the exact care requirements as other camellia shrubs. In this article, we’ll explore five types of yellow camellia flowers to grow in your garden.
5 Beautiful Yellow Camellia Flower Varieties:
1) Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’
Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ is a bi-colored camellia variety. The single or semi-double flowers have white outer petals and creamy-yellow ruffled inner petals. This gorgeous late-season yellow camellia flowers from April to May.
‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ grows between 8 and 13 feet high and thrives in USDA Zones 6 to 10. This cultivar needs partial or full shade and needs a sheltered location to protect the flower buds from cold winds.
| Scientific Name: | Camellia japonica ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’ |
| Growing Zones: | 6 to 10 |
| Flowering Season: | Mid to late spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 8 to 13 feet |
2) Camellia japonica ‘Dahlonega’
Camellia japonica ‘Dahlonega’ is an elegant cultivar derived from the Japanese camellia. ‘Dahlonega’ produces white formal double flowers that fade to a creamy-yellow towards the center.
‘Dahlonega’ is a late-season yellow camellia that flowers from March until May in Zones 7 to 10. ‘Dahlonega’ grows between 6 and 10 feet high and approximately 6 to 8 feet wide.
| Scientific Name: | Camellia japonica ‘Dahlonega’ |
| Growing Zones: | 7 to 10 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | 6 to 10 feet |
3) Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’
Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’ is very similar to ‘Brushfield’s Yellow’. ‘Jury’s Yellow’ is a hybrid camellia with white anemone-form flowers with ruffled creamy-yellow petals in the center. ‘Jury’s Yellow’ is a late-season yellow camellia that flowers from March until April in Zones 8 to 10.
This beautiful yellow camellia grows up to approximately 13 feet tall and wide. ‘Jury’s Yellow’ prefers partial to full shade in a sheltered spot.
| Scientific Name: | Camellia x williamsii ‘Jury’s Yellow’ |
| Growing Zones: | 8 to 10 |
| Flowering Season: | Spring |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | Up to 13 feet |
4) Japanese Stewartia
Also known as the deciduous camellia, the Japanese stewartia is closely related to camellias. The Japanese stewartia produce white single flowers with yellow or orange stamens. This plant also has beautiful bark and leaves that turn purple, red, or yellow during the fall.
Unlike true camellias, the Japanese stewartia flowers during the summer. These shrubs grow up to 40 feet tall and approximately 25 feet wide. They thrive in Zones 5 to 8.
| Scientific Name: | Stewartia pseudocamellia |
| Growing Zones: | 5 to 8 |
| Flowering Season: | Summer |
| Light Requirements: | Partial to full shade |
| Mature Height: | Up to 40 feet |
5) Golden Camellia
Golden camellias (Camellia chrysantha) are one of the oldest camellia species, having evolved over the last 170 million years. This Endangered species produces small yellow single flowers with five petals. It comes from parts of China and Vietnam.
Golden camellias bloom from winter until spring, usually between November and March. The flowers have a slight fragrance. Golden camellias usually grow up to 10 feet tall and wide. This species grows well in Zone 11.
| Scientific Name: | Camellia chrysantha |
| Growing Zones: | Zone 11 |
| Flowering Season: | Winter to spring |
| Light Requirements: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Mature Height: | 6 to 10 feet |
Essential Tips for Growing Yellow Camellia Flowers
Yellow camellias require warm, humid conditions in Zones 7 to 10 but can survive temperatures as low as 10ºF. Most camellia species grow between 6 and 15 feet high and approximately 6 to 10 feet wide. However, camellias can take decades to reach their full size.
Yellow camellias need nutrient-rich acidic soils that hold some moisture but still drain well. The soil pH levels need to be between 5.0 and 6.5. Ericaceous compost is ideal for camellias, especially if you’re growing camellias in pots.
Most yellow camellias require partial to full shade, although Camellia sasanqua cultivars grow best in full sun. Camellias prefer full sun in the morning but need protection from intense direct afternoon sunlight. Camellias also need sheltered areas that protect them from cold or strong winds.
Once established, camellias shouldn’t need extra watering except during hot, dry summers. Water camellias once the top 2 to 4 inches of soil feel dry, especially for those growing in containers. Fertilize camellias once or twice a year in late spring and midsummer.
Most camellias can tolerate reasonably cold temperatures but struggle in temperatures below freezing. In cold areas, wrap the trunk of your camellia in fleece. Bring potted camellias indoors during the winter, or wrap the pots in fleece.
Yellow Camellia Flowers FAQs
What Do Yellow Camellias Symbolize?
Like other yellow flowers, yellow camellias are associated with hope, joy, and abundance. According to Chinese culture, yellow flowers are linked to things that are sacred.
Are Yellow Camellias Rare?
Yellow camellias are the rarest types of camellia flowers. At most, there are 20 yellow camellia species and cultivars. In total, there are approximately 26,000 camellia cultivars.
What Month Do Yellow Camellias Flower?
Depending on the exact variety, yellow camellias can flower any time between fall and spring. Early-season camellias bloom in the fall, while mid-season camellias flower during the winter. Late-season camellia flower during the spring.
Are Yellow Camellia Flowers High Maintenance?
Like other camellia shrubs, yellow camellias aren’t high maintenance as long as their basic needs are met. All camellias need nutrient-rich acidic soils with a pH level between 5.0 and 6.5. Camellias also need partial to full shade in sheltered locations.
How Fast Do Yellow Camellia Flowers Grow?
Most types of camellias are slow-growing shrubs, although this varies slightly depending on the species. Many yellow camellias take decades to reach their full size.
Wrapping Up
Yellow camellias are some of the rarest types of camellias. Many cultivars have white flowers with some yellow petals. However, golden camellias have yellow flowers and are one of the oldest camellia species.
For more, see our in-depth guide on the meaning and symbolism of camellias and discover our favorite types of red, white, and pink camellia flowers.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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