Gardening Trees, Shrubs & Vines Shrubs How to Plant and Grow Kerria Japanese kerria is a hardy shrub with gracefully arching stems and cheerful, rose-like yellow flowers in the spring. By Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani is a gardening and food writer with more than two decades of hands-on gardening experience in vegetable and fruit gardening, landscaping with native plants, and garden design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 1, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types Companion Plants FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Denny Schrock If you are looking for a spring-blooming shrub that is resistant to both deer browsing and dry conditions, consider kerria. Also known as the Japanese rose, kerria is an old-fashioned shrub making a comeback in the garden. With its arching, bright green stems, kerria provides welcome winter interest and petite yellow flowers in early spring. Its rose-like flowers are some of the first blossoms to appear in spring, wrapping the plant in a cheerful yellow glow. This easy-to-grow shrub is perfect for shrub borders. Kerria Overview Genus Name Kerria japonica Common Name Kerria Plant Type Shrub Light Sun Height 2 to 8 feet Width 2 to 8 feet Flower Color Yellow Foliage Color Blue/Green Season Features Spring Bloom, Winter Interest Special Features Low Maintenance Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Stem Cuttings Where to Plant Kerria The ideal spot for kerria is a partially shaded location with well-draining, rich, and moist soil that can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Plant a single kerria in a shrub border or in the back of a perennial border where it will stand out in spring and blend in with other plants the rest of the season. It also makes a great foundation plant, grows well along property lines or fences, and reliably adds seasonal interest in spring and again in winter. Or you can plant several kerria together for a living garden screen. Just be aware that kerria spreads, albeit slowly, to form a clump, so give it adequate space. How and When to Plant Kerria Plant kerria in the spring. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and has the same depth. Place the shrub in the center. Backfill with original soil and tamp it down. Water immediately and deeply, then spread a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the base of the shrub to preserve soil moisture. Water kerria regularly during the first year after planting to establish a strong root system. Space shrubs 4 to 8 feet apart, depending on the variety and its mature size. Kerria Care Tips Light While kerria is not particular about lighting and grows well in full sun or full shade, partial shade is preferable because the blooms last longer. In full sun, the flowers fade. Soil and Water Kerria performs best in loamy, rich, moist but well-drained soil. It is not particular about soil pH but it does not tolerate heavy clay soil or poorly draining soil. Once the shrub is established, it can withstand dry spells and does not need watering except during extended periods of drought. Temperature and Humidity Kerria is very cold-hardy and can be planted as low as zone 4 but it also does well in warmer and moderately humid climates. Fertilizer When it comes to fertilizer, more is less, as an overfertilized kerria tends to become weedy. If you have planted the shrub in soil that is rich in organic matter, an annual springtime application of compost around the base of the plant is usually sufficient. Pruning Mature kerria shrubs occasionally experience winter dieback. Older, central stems often die. These white-brown dead stems are noticeable in early spring among the live stems, which are bright green and beginning to unfurl leaves. Remove the dead stems as soon as they are noticed in early spring. Old, ragged kerria shrubs can be rejuvenated by renewal pruning in early spring. Begin renewal pruning by removing all the dead stems and then cutting the remaining live stems back to about 12 inches above the ground. Maintain the desired size and shape by pruning kerria moderately in spring just after flowering. Potting and Repotting Kerria To plant kerria in a container, select a dwarf variety such as ‘Picta’ because the other shrubs get quite large and are not suitable for growing in containers. Choose a container with large drainage holes. Place a layer of rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the container for stabilization. Fill it with potting mix and a few handfuls of compost and plant the kerria in the container. Keep it well watered at all times, as container plants need 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 larger pot with fresh soil won’t be necessary unless the roots outgrow the container. Pests and Problems Kerria is not often affected by any serious pests or diseases. The plant might get blight, cankers, leaf spots, and root rot, especially when grown in poorly draining soil. How to Propagate Kerria The easiest way to propagate kerria is from cuttings in the early summer. After the shrub has finished blooming, take a 4- to 5-inch cutting that includes a leaf node (the spot where the leaves attach to the stem). Remove all the leaves from the lower third of the cutting. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder. Insert the cutting about halfway in a 4-inch pot filled with damp potting mix. Keep the cutting moist in a moderately warm (not hot) location away from intense sunlight. It takes about four to six weeks for roots to form. New growth is an indicator that roots have formed. Wait at least another month for the plant to get bigger before transplanting it in the landscape. Types of Kerria 'Pleniflora' Denny Schrock Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' is an extra-showy selection that bears double yellow flowers in early spring. It grows 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide. Zone 5-9 'Picta' Kerria japonica 'Picta' is a compact cultivar that slowly grows only 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. It has dense foliage with toothed, grayish-green leaves edged in pure white. Zone 4-9 'Golden Guinea' The special feature of Kerria japonica 'Golden Guinea' is its large single yellow flowers, which resemble guinea coins in color and size, hence the name. With 6 to 8 feet in height, this cultivar is taller than others. Zone 4-9 Kerria Companion Plants Shrub Roses Rob Cardillo Shrub roses are much less demanding than classic roses, which combine all of the characteristics of roses in a low-maintenance plant. There are many shrub roses for different climates, in varying sizes and in almost every color so you can be sure to find one that fits in your yard. Zone 3-10 Weigela Lynn Karlin Weigela is not finicky about its location; this low-maintenance shrub grows just about anywhere. It puts on a show of red or pink blooms in spring and early summer and fades into the background as the seasons change. It comes in different sizes and foliage colors so you can find the one that best fits your landscape. Zone 4-9 Russian Sage Peter Krumhardt With its wispy texture and silver-green foliage, Russian sage forms a beautiful contrast to kerria. The flowers are covered with a calyx, a tube that protects the flowers from damage, which stays on the plant for quite a while, so Russian sage will appear to bloom long after its flowers are gone. Zone 4-9 Frequently Asked Questions Is Japanese kerria invasive? Although it is a non-native plant—it is native to the mountainous areas of China and Japan—it is not considered invasive in North America and is generally considered a well-behaved ornamental. How long does kerria bloom? It blooms for about two weeks in the early spring. The bloom time varies depending on the location. It often blooms around Easter, that’s why the shrub is sometimes referred to as Easter rose. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit