How big does Japanese kerria grow?

About 2 m × 2 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 1–3 m × 1.8–3 m.

What soil does Japanese kerria grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Japanese kerria hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Japanese kerria be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Japanese kerria be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.2 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Japanese kerria flower?

Flowering: April–May, yellow.

How much water does Japanese kerria need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Japanese kerria

Kerria japonica

Japanese kerria (Kerria japonica) is a shrub that reaches 2 m × 2 m after ten years. Light: part shade, shade, full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €17.

Illustration of Japanese kerria — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An undemanding deciduous shrub that covers its arching stems, which stay bright green all winter, with golden yellow flowers in April and May; nurseries mostly sell the double, pompon-flowered form. It looks best in part shade, because the flowers bleach in strong sun, and it still blooms reliably in shade. It spreads by suckers, so give it room or pull the unwanted ones every year, and cut the oldest and dead canes out at the base after flowering.

Watch out for

No serious pests or diseases. Leaf spot and twig blight (Blumeriella kerriae) can appear in wet weather, and in hard winters without snow cover the stem tips can be killed back, which means fewer flowers that year. Individual canes die off naturally after a few years and need to be cut out regularly. Its suckers gradually form a dense thicket, so in a small garden it is worth planting it with a root barrier.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade, Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, yellow

Group	Shrub
Light	Part shade, Shade, Full sun
Size after 10 years	2 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	1–3 m × 1.8–3 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, yellow
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	120 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €17

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €17

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for shade Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Flowering shrubs

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

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