Japanese Rose Care
Kerria japonica
A shade-loving shrub that produces bright yellow flowers in spring and is of interest in winter for its green stems. Because it flowers on old branches, pruning must be done right after flowering ends; it spreads by sending up shoots from its base.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Its green branches add color to the winter garden.
- Pests & diseases: Carry out general observation. Frost protection is not needed; it is very hardy.
- Pruning: Not needed. Pruning in winter removes that year's flowers.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, 7-10 L/plant once a week.
- Fertilizing: Apply a layer of compost or slow-release balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 NPK) to the soil; do not overapply.
- General care: Leaves and flower buds appear.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: Main flowering period.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Pruning: As soon as flowering ends, prune the flowering branches by one third or back to a strong side shoot. Also rejuvenate the plant by cutting some of the oldest branches at the base.
- General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: After pruning, new shoots grow quickly. Mulch to keep the soil moist.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for fungal leaf spot diseases.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Pruning: Prune as soon as flowering ends. Next year's flower buds form over the summer; late pruning reduces flowering.
- General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and humid weather, leaf spot and twig blight may appear; cut off the diseased parts.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
- Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
- General care: The leaves begin to turn yellow.
- Watering: Not required, natural rainfall is sufficient.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.
Browse all plant guides