Kerria japonica

Japanese kerria is a graceful, spring flowering, deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae (rose) family that grows natively from central and southern China to southern Korea and Japan. It has upright, arching, slender stems that form a broad, dense, twiggy mass, reaching 7 feet tall and up to 9 feet wide. Single rose-like, yellow flowers bloom in spring. The genus name honors William Kerr, a 19th century Kew gardener and collector, who collected in China, Java and the Philippines. The species name means of Japan. Plants in this genus are sometimes called Easter rose because the flowers typically bloom around Easter.

Japanese kerria is meant for the shade garden, as its flowers fade in full sun. This plant requires loamy, well-drained soil of medium fertilization. Avoid high fertilization, because it becomes weedy, and heavy clay soil. The plant is considered a well behaved ornamental; however, suckers can be a problem and should be removed. This plant also tends to become leggy and therefore requires heavy pruning as necessary. You can cut the stems to the ground if the plant needs renovation. Note that the plant blooms on the previous year's wood.

Place Japanese kerria as an accent plant or specimen in a butterfly or children’s garden or plant and prune several as a hedge. It also works well in a drought tolerant garden, as it is resistant to drought as well as deer. Japanese kerria has been introduced to the United States and can be found in the Piedmont of North Carolina, although it is relatively rare.

Quick ID Hints:

• Deciduous shrub with cane-like growth
• Leaves are plicate; stems are green, zig-zag, and shiny
• Solitary, terminal bright yellow flowers that are 1 to 1.5 inches
• Flowers are five-petaled or double and spherical

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a fact sheet on common pests and diseases.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: 

No serious problems. This plant occasionally suffers from blights, cankers, leaf spots, and root rot. Twig and leaf blight can be caused by the fungus Blumeriella kerriae, which is often the result of wet weather conditions.