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Bright yellow flowers of Japanese rose in springShrubs

Kerria japonica

Japanese Rose

spring bloomyellow flowersshade-tolerantlow-maintenancewinter silhouette

Japanese Rose is a cheerfully flowering shrub with bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers on graceful green branches in April and May. The green stems remain decorative in winter. An easy, versatile shrub that thrives in partial shade.

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Before
After

Characteristics

Sun
Partial shade, Full sun
Water
Medium
Height
100–200 cm
Spread
100–200 cm
Hardiness zone
4–9
Family
Rosaceae
Evergreen
No
Flower colors
yellow
Wildlife value
bees

Bloom period

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Care guide

Plant in partial shade or full sun in ordinary garden soil. Adaptable and thrives in most soils. Water regularly in the first year. Once established, little maintenance is needed. Too much sun may cause flowers to fade.

Pruning tips

Prune immediately after flowering in May by cutting flowered branches back to a healthy side shoot. Remove a quarter of the oldest stems at the base to rejuvenate. The plant produces suckers — remove unwanted shoots.

Good companions

Bright yellow forsythia in full bloom in early springShrubs

Forsythia × intermedia

Border Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the first shrubs to bloom in spring with an explosion of bright yellow flowers along bare branches. From March to April, this robust shrub turns the garden golden before the leaves appear. Forsythia grows quickly, is fully hardy, and makes a stunning specimen or hedge plant.

Full sunMedium200–300 cm
Pink flower clusters of Japanese spirea in summer sunshineShrubs

Spiraea japonica

Japanese Spirea

Japanese spirea is a compact, free-flowering shrub with flat clusters of pink flowers from June to August. The shrub has a neat, rounded form and works perfectly in small gardens, low hedges, or as border edging. Some cultivars feature decorative yellow-green or bronze-tinted foliage.

Full sunMedium60–120 cm
Pink weigela flowers on arching branches in full bloomShrubs

Weigela florida

Weigela

Weigela is a versatile ornamental shrub that becomes smothered in trumpet-shaped flowers in pink to deep red during May and June. The shrub has a broad, arching growth habit and makes an attractive backdrop in the border. Some cultivars feature striking dark red or variegated foliage that extends interest into autumn.

Full sunMedium150–250 cm