1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Kerria japonica, Japanese kerria, is an arching suckering deciduous shrub from China, Korea and Japan, reaching three to seven feet and rather wider. Slender zig-zagging stems stay bright green all winter, which is much of its appeal, and saucer-shaped golden-yellow flowers an inch or more across open along them in mid spring.
The green stems are the winter feature, so avoid cutting it hard in autumn and lose nothing to a dull season. It suckers steadily and will form a thicket if left, which suits a woodland edge and frustrates a tidy border. It flowers on the previous year's wood, so prune within a few weeks of the flowers fading.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
60 inches
Width
108 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
China, Korea and Japan
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in partial shade; flowers fade fast in full sun.
- Give it any reasonably drained soil.
- Allow six to nine feet of width for the thicket.
- Prune within weeks of flowering, never later.
- Remove a third of the oldest stems at the base yearly.
- Dig out unwanted suckers to keep it in bounds.
Pro Tip
The bright green winter stems are half the plant, so thin at the base rather than shearing the top and losing them.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant it in partial shade 🌤️
- Prune right after flowering ✂️
- Thin the oldest stems at the base 🪵
- Remove suckers to contain it 🚧
Don't
- Plant it in hot full sun ❌
- Cut it back hard in autumn ❌
- Expect it to stay in a tidy clump ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Double Japanese Kerria questions
What zones can Double Japanese Kerria grow in?
Double Japanese Kerria is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Double Japanese Kerria deer resistant?
Yes — Double Japanese Kerria is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Double Japanese Kerria bloom?
Double Japanese Kerria typically blooms in mid spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Double Japanese Kerria need full sun?
Double Japanese Kerria does best in part shade.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Grow Double Japanese Kerria with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.