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Jew's Mallow

Kerria japonica

Kerria japonica Kerria japonica

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous shrub
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
2.5 metres tall
Habitats:
Gardens, hedgerows, parks, riverbanks, roadsides, wasteland, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, 5 petals
 
Golden yellow flowers, approximately 3cm across. Single-flowered varieties of Jew's Mallow have 5 petals, however double-flowered varieties are very common. Pollinated by insects.
Fruit:
A single-seeded achene.
Leaves:
Jew's Mallow is a common garden plant which occasionally self-seeds and grows in the wild. The leaves alternate along the stems. They are a maximum of 10cm in length and have double-serrated margins.
Other Names:
Bachelor's Button, Easter Rose, Japanese Kerria, Japanese Marigold Bush, Japanese Rose, Miracle Marigold Bush, Yamabuki, Yellow Rose.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Other Information

Summary

Kerria japonica, also known as Japanese Kerria, is a deciduous shrub in the Rosaceae family. It is native to Japan and China and is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. It typically grows to be around 3-6 feet tall and has arching branches with bright green leaves. The most striking feature of the plant is its bright yellow, saucer-shaped flowers which appear in spring, before the leaves. It prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade. It is hardy in zones 5-8, and is known to be a very easy to care for shrub.

Blog

Jew's Mallow, also known as Kerria japonica, is a plant species that is native to Japan, China, and Korea. It is a deciduous shrub that belongs to the rose family and can grow up to 10 feet tall. The plant is popular for its attractive yellow flowers that bloom in spring and can last for several weeks.

The plant has several common names, including Japanese rose, yellow rose, and Easter rose. It was first introduced to Europe in the 18th century, where it quickly became popular among gardeners due to its beautiful flowers and easy-to-grow nature.

Jew's Mallow is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of soil types, from acidic to alkaline. It prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate both partial shade and full sun. The plant is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it an excellent choice for novice gardeners.

The flowers of Jew's Mallow are bright yellow and resemble small roses. They typically bloom in spring, although some varieties can also flower in summer and fall. The plant's foliage is also attractive, with bright green leaves that turn yellow in the fall.

In addition to its ornamental value, Jew's Mallow also has some practical uses. In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, sore throat, and cough. The leaves and roots of the plant are also edible and can be used in soups and stews.

Jew's Mallow is a low-maintenance plant that requires little care once established. It can be pruned in late winter or early spring to promote new growth and maintain its shape. The plant can also be propagated through stem cuttings, making it easy to share with other gardeners.

Jew's Mallow has been cultivated for centuries in Japan for its ornamental value and is often used in traditional Japanese gardens. The plant is also used in Chinese gardens, where it is grown in containers or trained to climb walls or trellises.

In Western gardens, Jew's Mallow is often used as a border plant or as a backdrop for other flowers. Its bright yellow flowers can provide a cheerful pop of color in a garden, and the plant's ability to tolerate both shade and sun make it a versatile addition to any landscape.

The plant is also a favorite of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, making it a great choice for those looking to attract wildlife to their garden. Additionally, the plant's long bloom time makes it an excellent source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.

While Jew's Mallow is generally a hardy plant, it may require some protection in areas with harsh winters. In colder climates, the plant may benefit from a layer of mulch around its base to protect its roots from frost damage.

One interesting feature of Jew's Mallow is its ability to adapt to different growing conditions. In its native range, the plant is often found growing in moist, shaded areas, but it can also thrive in drier, sunnier conditions. This adaptability makes it a great choice for gardeners who are looking for a low-maintenance plant that can grow in a variety of locations.

Another interesting aspect of Jew's Mallow is its role in folklore and mythology. In Japan, the plant is associated with the goddess Amaterasu, who is said to have used the plant's branches to create a barrier around her sacred garden. In Chinese folklore, the plant is said to be a symbol of good luck and is often used in New Year's decorations.

Jew's Mallow is also a popular choice for bonsai enthusiasts, who appreciate its small leaves and delicate flowers. The plant is well-suited for bonsai cultivation because it responds well to pruning and can be trained into a variety of shapes and styles.

In addition to its traditional medicinal uses, Jew's Mallow has also been studied for its potential health benefits. The plant is rich in antioxidants, which may help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Some studies have also suggested that Jew's Mallow may have anti-cancer properties, although more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Jew's Mallow is also a popular plant for use in landscaping and erosion control. Its deep roots help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, making it a great choice for hillsides and other areas prone to erosion.

The plant is also used in natural dyeing, where its bright yellow flowers are used to produce a range of yellow and green hues. The plant's leaves can also be used to create a natural green dye.

Jew's Mallow is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established. It can be propagated through stem cuttings, which can be taken in the spring or early summer. The plant can also be divided every few years to prevent it from becoming too large.

One potential downside of Jew's Mallow is that it can spread aggressively in some areas. Gardeners should be mindful of this when planting the shrub and may need to prune it regularly to keep it under control.

In conclusion, Jew's Mallow is a versatile and fascinating plant that offers a range of benefits to gardeners, landscapers, and natural dyers alike. Its ornamental value, adaptability, and potential health benefits make it a great choice for any garden or landscape, and its cultural significance and role in folklore add an extra layer of interest to this lovely shrub. Whether grown for its beauty, its medicinal properties, or its practical uses, Jew's Mallow is a plant that is sure to impress and delight.

Video

Jew's Mallow filmed at the following 2 locations:
  • Adlington, Lancashire: 6th May 2023
  • Skelwith Bridge, Cumbria: 13th May 2023

 

Music credits
Harlequin by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100635
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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