Comments on: great shrubs: kerria japonica ‘picta’

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:27 +0000

Welcome, Nancy. Thanks for the catalog recommendation. Not sure the goal of the pruning, but if it is overgrown and leggy, I’d thin out the oldest stems right to the ground and let some of the younger ones take over. Hope to see you again soon.

By: nancy sessions

nancy sessions — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:18:41 +0000

My itea right now, Nov.7, is a glorious red almost sparkling. As it grows the offshoots are easy to pull out and will take hold quickly, Zone 6.
A question—How to prune abelia? Thanks. Your web site is certainly fun.
I have a very favorite nursery, sunlightgardens.com. It specializes in wildflowers and seems to have not only the lowest prices but also the largest healthy plants !!!It is surprizingly in the same zone as we are in ct.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:51:41 +0000

Welcome, Georgina. I haven’t had the problem often, but Kerria (like many plants) can get leaf spot in damp years or where there isn’t good air circulation. Fungal things like that may not injure the plant permanently in most cases, but will look awful this year. If you are concerned that the twigs look nasty, too, you can cut out the wrost of them and Kerria will bounce back. I’d wait to do that till earliest spring.

By: Georgina

Georgina — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:18:07 +0000

I have a few of the double flowering kerria’s and one of them seems to be turning yellow with brown spots on it. Do you know what the problem can be this is the first time this has happened since I have had them.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:43:32 +0000

Welcome, Nancy, with the Deal of the Day! Good for you. I suspect they will get to about 5 feet high and wide, so space accordingly (I have read 3-5 feet but I don’t believe anything stays at 3 feet). Don’t know where you live, but here they can be in half shade or even more if need be, but half is great. Lucky you. See you soon again.