Rhodotypos scandens

The Rhodotypos scandens, also known as False Kerria, is a charming bush of Asian origin, with a rural appearance, very easy to cultivate, which will delight you with its long white spring flowering followed by black berries. While all too rare in our gardens, it truly deserves its place there!

The Rhodotypos scandens belongs to the Rosaceae family and originates from Japan. It is similar to Kerria in its appearance, size, foliage and habit. The False Kerria is a bush of about 1 .50 m in all directions, with a bushy habit and deciduous leaves. Its stems are slightly arched and its leaves are ovate, tapered, and dentate, of a tender green. It is covered in spring with a profusion of cup-shaped, pure white, solitary flowers with four spreading petals 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, and golden stamens. This flowering gives way to round, shiny, and black berries the size of a pea.

The Rhotypos scandens is a very accommodating bush. It can be used both in groups and flowerbeds, on its own, or even as a free hedge. It can be planted in both sunny and semi-shaded exposures where its flowering will be wonderful. In semi-shade, it can be combined with shrubs such as hydrangeas, camellias, heathers, azaleas, but also with perennial plants such as hostas, ferns, hellebores... In a sunny situation, it can be accompanied by a lilac,  viburnum, bushy ceanothus, but also tulips, dahlias or medium-size perennials.