Kerria
Latin name
Kerria japonica
Family
Rosaceae
Other names
Japanese Kerria, Japanese Rose, Batchelor’s Buttons,
Sailor’s Button, Jew's Mallow
Flowering season
It is at its best in April and May when the whole bush is
covered in flowers,.but it often flowers throughout the year.
English distribution
The naturalised escape is scattered throughout the country,
but is more common in the South.
As a garden shrub, it is common throughout the country.
See the BSBI distribution map for Kerria
Habitat
It is a neophyte which has been cultivated in the UK since
the early 1800s, but not recognised as growing in the wild
before the mid 1960s.
It is a widespread ornamental shrub in gardens, parks
and amenity areas.
It has become naturalised where garden plants have
been discarded and where old gardens have returned
to the wild.
It is found in the wild in woods, hedges, rubbish tips and
beside rivers.
Description
Kerria is a deciduous shrub, which grows to about 2m
and spreads up to 3m.
It reproduces by suckering and is frost hardy.
The flowers are bright yellow pompoms, up to 4cm
across.
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Individual flower
Flowers appear before leaves
Leaves