Variegated Kerria

Kerria japonica ‘Variegata’
Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
Genus: Kerria
Species: japonica
Variety: ‘Variegata’

It seems appropriate to start the year 2000 with a featured plant that begins with the letter K. Of the several possibilities, Kerria japonica was chosen because its fresh green branches provide welcome interest in the winter garden. Lime-green leaves—splashed with cream in K. j. ‘Variegata’—appear in early spring, followed quickly by yellow flowers that are most profuse from late March through May.

This deciduous shrub is native to east Asia and has been cultivated in occidental gardens since the early 1800s. There is only one species, although there are several named varieties. ‘Pleniflora’ has double, mustard-yellow flowers and green leaves. The flowers of ‘Variegata’—sometimes called ‘Picta’—are single, wider, and a much more subtle yellow.

Kerria japonica can be grown successfully in 21 of the 24 Sunset climate zones, adapting well to nearly every soil and site. While it is slow to establish, it is extremely long-lived and will be a part of your landscape for many years. Because it is so tough and hardy, K. japonica acquired a reputation as quite common and has fallen from favor in recent times. It can be hard to find in nurseries, but if you happen across K. japonica in an old garden, you can propagate it by division in the fall or softwood cuttings in summer.

Because of its reasonable size, Kerria japonica is well suited to the home garden. It seldom exceeds three feet in height and four feet in width. Because of its open, airy form, it can be successfully underplanted with spring bulbs and delicate ground covers. Unlike many other spring-blooming shrubs, it earns a place of prominence because of its graceful form and year-around interest. In the fall, its leaves turn golden; in the winter, its green shoots are attractive; its blossoms shine in spring and, during the summer, it doesn’t look ratty. Kerria japonica ‘Variegata’, in particular, can bring cool elegance to the late-summer garden. It will never turn into a thug, no matter where you place it. Happiest in at least part sun with room to show off its graceful, arching form, it will tolerate just about any placement short of deep shade.

Because your K. japonica will be with you for a long while, prepare its site well. Water it regularly during its first two years, and after that you can depend on it to be reasonably tolerant of drought. Thin out older shoots after flowering and prune the shrub to shape if necessary. K. japonica isn’t susceptible to particular pests or diseases, so it requires almost no special care. You’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy its show in the spring and the smattering of flowers it will continue to produce through late summer. And during the winter, its fresh-looking green stems will remind you that yes, spring is just around the corner.