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Japanese Rose Wikimedia Commons
Rosaceae

Japanese Rose

Kerria japonica

Modest grace.

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Kerria
Native to
China, Japan
Bloom season
Spring
Type
shrub
Height
3-6 ft
Sunlight
part shade to full shade
Soil
well-drained, average
Water
moderate
Hardiness
4-9
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • Named after William Kerr, a Scottish plant collector who sent it from China to Kew Gardens in 1804.
  • The double-flowered form 'Pleniflora' arrived in Europe before the single form and was long thought to be the species.
  • It is the only species in the genus Kerria, making it a monotypic genus.
  • The bright green stems provide winter interest even after the deciduous leaves have fallen.
  • In Japan, the plant is called 'yamabuki' and features prominently in classical Japanese poetry and art.

Color meanings

0

simplicity

1

gentle spirit

Uses

  • shade garden
  • specimen shrub
  • informal hedge