Nipponese kerria is a hardy shrub with gracefully arch stem and cheerful , pink wine - like yellow flowers in the springtime .

Denny Schrock

If you are looking for a spring - flower shrub that is repellent to both deer browsing and dry conditions , consider kerria . Also known as the Japanese rose , kerria is an old - fashioned bush make a counter in the garden . With its arching , bright green radical , kerria provides welcome winter interest and petite yellow flowers in other spring . Its blush wine - like flowers are some of the first blossoms to look in outflow , wrapping the plant in a cheerful yellow glow . This easy - to - grow shrub isperfect for shrub borders .

japanese kerria shrub with yellow blooms

Credit:Denny Schrock

Where to Plant Kerria

The idealistic post for kerria is a part shaded placement with well - draining , racy , and moist soil that can be acid , neutral , or alkaline .

Plant a exclusive kerria in a bush border or in the back of a repeated border where it will abide out in spring and blend in with other plants the rest of the time of year . It also make a great innovation plant , grows well along prop lines or fences , and reliably bring seasonal pastime in fountain and again in winter . Or you may engraft several kerria together for aliving garden blind . Just be aware that kerria spreads , albeit tardily , to form a clump , so give it adequate space .

How and When to Plant Kerria

Plant kerria in the spring . Dig a trap that is twice as wide as the root ball and has the same depth . come out the shrub in the nerve center . Backfill with original territory and tamp it down . Water like a shot and profoundly , then spread a 2 - inch - thick layer ofmulcharound the foundation of the shrub to preserve soil wet . Water kerria regularly during the first twelvemonth after plant to establish a strong antecedent organization .

Space shrubs 4 to 8 feet apart , depending on the diversity and its mature size of it .

Kerria Care Tips

Light

While kerria is not special about lighting and grows well in full Lord’s Day or full shade , partial shade is preferred because the flower last longer . In full Sunday , the flowers melt .

Soil and Water

Kerria performs good in loamy , rich , damp butwell - drained soil . It is not particular about grunge pH but it does not tolerate impenetrable clay soil or poorly drain grunge .

Once the shrub is found , it can withstand dry spells and does not need lachrymation except during extensive period of drouth .

Temperature and Humidity

Kerria is very frigid - hardy and can be planted as low as zone 4 but it also does well in warmer and moderately humid climate .

Fertilizer

When it comes to fertilizer , more is less , as an overfertilized kerria be given to become underweight . If you have planted the shrub in grime that is rich in organic thing , an annual spring program of compost around the groundwork of the plant is commonly sufficient .

Pruning

Mature kerria shrubs occasionally have winter dieback . Older , primal stems often die . These clean - chocolate-brown numb stems are noticeable in early give among the live stems , which are bright green and begin to unfurl parting . take away the bushed stems as soon as they are noticed in early spring . former , ragged kerria bush can berejuvenated by replenishment pruning in early spring . Begin renewal dress by removing all the beat staunch and then cut the remaining live stems back to about 12 inches above the ground . Maintain the desired size and contour by pruning kerria pretty in spring just after anthesis .

Potting and Repotting Kerria

To establish kerria in a container , pick out a dwarf motley such as ‘ Picta ’ because the other shrubs get quite declamatory and are not suitable for growing in container . Choose a container with large drain hole . target a layer of rock candy or pebbles in the bottom of the container for stabilisation . satiate it with pot intermixture and a few handful of compost and establish the kerria in the container . Keep it well watered at all times , as container works call for more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape .

‘ Picta ’ is a slow grower that only reaches its mature size in five years , so repotting to a expectant mess with refreshing soil wo n’t be necessary unless the solution outgrow the container .

Pests and Problems

Kerria is not often affected by any serious pests or disease . The plant might get blight , cankers , leaf spots , and antecedent rot , peculiarly when grow in poorly drain filth .

How to Propagate Kerria

The easy way to propagate kerria is from cuttings in the early summer . After the bush has finish blooming , take a 4- to 5 - inch cutting that includes a leafage guest ( the spot where the leaves impound to the stem ) . Remove all the parting from the lower third of the press cutting . Dip the cut end in root hormone powder . Insert the cutting about midway in a 4 - inch pot take with dampish potting mix . Keep the cutting moist in a passably lovesome ( not red-hot ) fix out from vivid sunlight . It takes about four to six week for base to form . New development is an indicator that roots have formed . hold back at least another calendar month for the plant to get bigger before transplanting it in the landscape painting .

Types of Kerria

‘Pleniflora’

Kerria japonica’Pleniflora ' is an extra - showy selection that bears double yellowed flowers in former springtime . It develop 6 feet tall and 8 substructure panoptic . Zone 5 - 9

‘Picta’

Kerria japonica’Picta ' is a compact cultivar that slowly grows only 2 to 3 feet marvelous and 2 to 4 feet across-the-board . It has dense foliage with toothed , grayish - dark-green leaves edged in pure white . Zone 4 - 9

‘Golden Guinea’

The special characteristic ofKerria japonica’Golden Guinea ' is its large single yellow flower , which resemble guinea coins in gloss and sizing , hence the name . With 6 to 8 feet in height , this cultivar is taller than others . Zone 4 - 9

Kerria Companion Plants

Shrub Roses

Shrub rosesare much less demanding than Hellenic rose , which immix all of the characteristics of rose in a depleted - maintenance flora . There are many bush roses for different climates , in vary sizing and in almost every color so you’re able to be trusted to ascertain one that correspond in your one thousand . Zone 3 - 10

Weigela

Weigelais not particular about its location ; this low - maintenance shrub develop just about anywhere . It put on a show of red or pinkish blooms in spring and early summertime and fades into the background as the seasons switch . It comes in different sizes and foliage colors so you could find the one that best fits your landscape painting . geographical zone 4 - 9

Russian Sage

With its   wispy grain and silver - gullible foliage , Russian sageforms a beautiful demarcation to kerria . The heyday are covered with a calyx , a thermionic tube that protects the flowers from terms , which stays on the plant life for quite a while , so Russian sage will appear to blossom long after its flowers are hold out . Zone 4 - 9

Frequently Asked Questions

Although it is a non - native plant life — it is aboriginal to the hilly areas of China and Japan — it is not considered encroaching in North America and is in the main considered a well - behave ornamental .

It blooms for about two workweek in the early spring . The efflorescence clip vary calculate on the placement . It often flower around Easter , that ’s why the shrub is sometimes referred to as Easter rose .

update by Nadia Hassani

Variegated kerria japonica ‘Picta’

dutch iris and shrub rose near fence

Credit: Rob Cardillo

red prince weigela blooms

Credit: Lynn Karlin

lavender perovskia russian sage

Credit: Peter Krumhardt