Photo of Kerria japonica flower by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Photo by Hoot Owl Hollow Nursery

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Buy Kerria japonica

Also Known As

  • Easter Rose
  • Japanese Kerria
  • Japanese Rose

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 4'-6'
  • W: 4'-6'

planting zones

  • 4b-9b

4" | $17

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Fewer than 25 at Secret Garden Growers

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Kerria japonica plant details

Kerria japonica is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Kerria japonica

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: rosaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: cutting garden

GROWING CONDITIONS for Kerria japonica

USDA Zones: 4b - 9b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: average and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Lovely deciduous shrub with fountain-like arching branches 4-6’ high and wide prized for its large 2.5” single golden yellow flowers in mid spring. Beautiful background planting for a border or mixed shrub planting. Sun to part shade, average soil and water.
Though it?s ?very easy and very pretty... it isn?t as common as it deserves to be? (H. Flethcher); its green stems in winter and mounds of single bright-yellow ?buttercup? flowers in spring make a pleasant sight in a difficult spot. S/M
Japanese Rose, or Kerria japonica is a popular landscape specimen because of it flowers at a very young age, is fast to establish, and is deer resistant. Stems bloom very heavily in the spring before the leaves emerge, much like Forsythia but the flowers will continue throughout the summer unlike Forsythia which has a single blooming season.
Plants are quite cold hardy and will often still grow in protected areas in zone 3. If plants freeze back to the ground, they will sprout back from the roots and still bloom that season.

Propagating Kerria japonica Japanese Rose
Best propagated in winter as hardwood cuttings of new growth, or under mist using softwood cuttings in June.

Pruning and Care for Kerria japonica Japanese Rose
Plants are best pruned back in late spring or early summer. Flower buds for next spring develop starting in summer and persist until they bloom the following spring, so you want to prune early enough in summer that you don't reduce flowering. You can prune your plant all the way to the ground every few years, or just prune lightly to maintain a specific shape.

Gardening facts about Kerria japonica plant

How to Grow Kerria japonica

  • Sun Exposure

    • mostly sun - shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • deer resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous

See other plant types of Kerria for your garden

aka Golden Guinea Japanese Kerria

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 4'-8'

Width: 5'-9'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea' flower by Secret Garden Growers
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aka Kerria japonica 'Albiflora', White Japanese Kerria, White Japanese Rose

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 4'-5'

Width: 4'-5'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - occasional
Photo of Kerria japonica 'Albescens' flower, foliage by Evan Bean
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aka Honshu Japanese Kerria, Honshu Japanese Rose

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 3'-5'

Width: 4'-8'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Kerria japonica 'Honshu' flower by Karl Gercens III
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aka Kerria japonica 'Variegata', Variegated Japanese Kerria, Variegated Japanese Rose

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

4b-9b

Size

Height: 2'-3'

Width: 2'-4'

  • sun - shade
  • even moisture - drought tolerant
Photo of Kerria japonica 'Picta' flower by Secret Garden Growers
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Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

5a-10b

Size

Height: 3'

Width: 4'

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture
Photo of Kerria japonica 'Kin Kan' flower by Forestfarm
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+7 more Kerria
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