Species Japanese kerria
Off-white flowerm with yellow-lime center, green leaves and stems

Japanese kerria

Kerria japonica 'Albescens'

The Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica 'Albescens') is a deciduous shrub with a woody stem that has many arching branches. Its leaves are bright, green with wavy margins and can be up to 3 inches across. It is an early bloomer, producing bright yellow, five-petaled blooms in the spring that resemble small roses. The blooms appear in clusters and may last for up to a month. These clusters of blooms are followed by small, round, bright green berries in summer. Japanese kerria is an easy to grow shrub that can tolerate a range of conditions, making it a great choice for any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Layering Propagation,Cutting,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Japanese kerria should be watered regularly, but it's important not to overwater. During the growing season, the plant should be watered several times per week. During the hottest, driest periods, it may need to be watered every other day. The soil should be kept evenly moist, but never soggy. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, water only enough to keep the soil lightly damp.

sunlight

Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica 'Albescens') thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers a minimum of 4-5 hours of direct sunlight a day, ideally 6-8 hours per day. In regions with hotter summers, it prefers some midday shade in order to protect from hot, direct sunlight. In colder climates where temperatures drop below 0°C (32°F), provide enough sun to keep the plant growing, but avoid overexposing the plant because it may damage the tender new growth.

pruning

For best results, Japanese kerria should be pruned twice a year - once in late winter and again in early summer. In late winter, all of the older, dead branches should be pruned away. In early summer, any crossed or damaged branches should be removed, as well as any branches that appear rubbery or limp. To maintain an attractive, rounded shape, a light pruning of new growth may be necessary. Make sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears and remove no more than 1-third of the plant's total foliage.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Kerria japonica 'Albescens' typically starts flowering in April.

Hardiness Map