Japanese Kerria (also known as Japanese rose) is a tough-but-graceful, spring-flowering, deciduous shrub that is native to certain mountainous areas of China and Japan. It typically grows to 3-6? tall and to 6-8? wide on slender, arching, yellowish-green stems that remain an attractive green in winter. Single, five-petaled, rose-like, yellow flowers (to 1 1/2? diameter) bloom somewhat profusely in spring. Double-toothed, narrow, ovate-lanceolate, bright green leaves (to 4? long) turn yellow in fall. ?Pleniflora? is a very popular double-flowered cultivar that features rounded, pom-pom-like, yellow flowers (to 2? diameter). It typically grows taller (to 8-10?) and more upright than the species. Specific epithet means full flowered.
Grow in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade. Tolerates full shade. Flowers pale in too much sun. Prefers loamy soils that are moderately fertile. Avoid heavy clay soils. Blooms on previous year?s wood, so prune in spring after flowering. Suckering habit can be a problem, and unwanted suckers should be promptly removed. If necessary, plants may be renovated by cutting stems to the ground.
| Common Name | Japanese Kerria |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' |
| Container/Amount | 3 gallon |
| Evergreen or Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Hardiness Zone | 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b |
| Growth Rate | Average |
| Light Requirements | Part-shade, Part-sun, Shade |
| Height | to 8 ft. |
| Width | to 8 ft. |
| Soil Condition | Well-drained |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Blooming Period | April |
| Flower Color | Gold-yellow |
| Fragrance | No |
| Foliage Color | green |
| Deer Resistant | Yes |
| Fall Color | Yellow |
