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Key characteristics

Family: Rosaceae
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Width: 6 to 10 feet
Flower color: Bright golden yellow fully double pompon shaped flowers
Foliage color: Bright green sharply serrated lance shaped leaves often turning yellow in fall
Bloom time: Mid to late spring, often April to May
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Average; tolerates short dry periods once established
Maintenance: Low; prune immediately after flowering to remove older canes and maintain a dense arching form
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 9
Wildlife: Bees and other pollinating insects

Shrubs

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora'

Double Japanese Kerria

Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' produces bright golden-yellow pompon flowers in mid to late spring, each bloom formed with many layered petals that create a rounded, rosette-like shape along the slender stems. The blossoms appear among fresh green leaves that unfold in spring with lightly serrated edges and a soft texture. Arching green stems remain visible through winter, adding subtle color and structure after the foliage falls.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Average; tolerates short dry periods once established

Bloom time

Mid to late spring, often April to May

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Borders
Hedging
Pollinator Gardens

Companion plants

Tickseed · Russian sage · Potentilla · Fountain grass · Basket-of-gold · Lily of the Nile

Design tip

Use ‘Pleniflora’ where its arching stems can contribute to the garden beyond the flowering season. Bright golden-yellow spring flowers provide a strong burst of color, while the green stems remain visible after the foliage drops, adding subtle structure and color through winter.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)