KERRIA japonica. China and Japan. Deciduous shrubs of the rose family, once widely popular but now largely forgotten in California. They grow 5-8’ high, with roughly equal spread, producing many slender, bright green stems from the base. The leaves are up to 3" long, deeply veined and conspicuously toothed. From March to June, 1-2" blossoms resembling little roses are borne individually at the shoot tips. Flower color is usually golden yellow. An unnamed selection with beautiful large, single flowers was received several years ago from Myrtle Wolf; this is my personal favorite. Better known is ‘Pleniflora’, with smaller fully double flowers. Most recently, a white-flowered selection with pale green foliage, bleached nearly white at the growing tips, was received from Erik Nagata. The plants of all forms are easily grown in sun (for best bloom) or light shade and most soils, given moderate watering. The oldest stems should be cut out from time to time, to keep the plants looking fresh. Hardy to 0^oF. or less.