Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'
Garden Plant Information

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

 

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' flowers

 

Name

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' (also called Bachelor's buttons and Japanese rose).

 

Note:Centaurea cyanus is also known as Batchelor's buttons, which shows why botanical names are useful for avoiding confusion.  

Genus  

Kerria

Species

japonica

Cultivar/variety

'Pleniflora'

General description

Hardy, deciduous, suckering shrub grown for bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring. Suitable for an open border or can be wall/fence trained. Originates in the woodlands of China and Japan.

 

I was never very keen on Kerria japonica until I saw it grown against the latticed trellis, backed by bamboo matting, shown the photo above. That background showed it in a whole new light to me.

Season of interest

Flowers and leaves in spring. Leaves from spring to autumn.

Key horticultural features

  1. Habit - arching, upright, slightly lax. S: 2.5m,  H: up to 3m.

  2. Stem - arching, green, round.

  3. Leaves - lanceolate with serrated edges, bright green.

  4. Flowers - double flowered in a cup shape, bright yellow, up to 3cm across.

 

Cultural details

Aspect

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil

Fertile, well drained.

Hardiness

Hardy.

Maintenance

After flowering has finished, remove the older stems to make space for new shoots to grow.

Propagation

Cuttings in summer or layer for 12 months and then remove the cutting and pot up.