Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Gardeners with shady landscapes know how difficult it is to find flowering shrubs that bloom well without a fair amount of sunlight. This ability makes the Japanese Kerria, also known commonly as the Japanese rose, features bright golden yellow flowers that resemble an old-fashioned rose or chrysanthemum. They appear on slender, arching stems en masse in spring and then sporadically throughout the summer.
The Japanese Kerria also offers year-round interest. Light green leaves become a warm yellow in the fall before dropping to reveal stems that stay a bright green throughout the winter. Few maintenance requirements, the ability to thrive in shade, and resistance to deer make the Japanese Kerria a great option for woodland plantings. It also has a tendency to sucker and form colonies, a habit that makes it suitable for mass plantings and erosion control.
Japanese Kerria Care
This shrub grows well in a range of conditions; the ideal site is in partial shade with average, medium moisture, well-drained soil. It can tolerate full shade and dry or wet soil. Flower color fades in strong sunlight. The Japanese Kerria is drought tolerant once established, but check the soil around the plant regularly during the growing season following planting and water during extended dry spells. Work compost into the site at planting if soil is heavy and drains poorly and fertilize the plants lightly in spring with a balanced fertilizer.
The Japanese Kerria is a vigorous grower with a tendency to sucker. Prune the shrub anytime to remove unwanted suckers at the base. To shape the plant, cut stems back to above a bud in spring just after flowering. Waiting too long after flowering to prune can affect the next year’s bloom.
Japanese Kerria Spacing
The height and spread of Japanese Kerria depends on the specific cultivar and plants grow three to eight feet tall. Most cultivars can reach a spread of up to six feet wide but all have a tendency to sucker and form small colonies. Space plants six to eight feet apart.
Japanese Kerria Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Partial Shade (3-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 4-6 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 6-8 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow
- Bloom Time
- Spring
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Fall Flowering, Winter Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Japanese Kerria
- Botanical Name
- KERRIA JAPONICA
- Plant Type
- Shrub
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!