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Kerria japonica pleniflora pruning ?

muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
in Plants
I planted this earlier this year.
Having looked at the rhs site and the plant tag I’m unclear about the pruning requirements. 
The tag says to prune to 5cm now or after 5 years. I am unclear on whether that means every year to 5cm ? Clearly in 5 years it could be quite substantial and I’d not be too keen in taking it down to 5cm at that?
any thoughts/recommendations ?

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I wouldn't prune it for 2-3 years at least. Let it get established and then you can hack it back as you want, they are pretty nearly indestructible and sucker like mad after a while.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    Thanks Lizzie, pretty much what I was thinking too 😁
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I'd take the earliest opportunity to dig it up and remove it whilst you still have the chance. 
    Devon.
  • muckyhandsmikemuckyhandsmike Posts: 239
    Lol hosta ! It will be fine where it is at the bottom of the back garden. I don’t mind dealing with the suckers.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    It is a great plant to have if you have the room.
    We have cut it right back this year after many years in the garden as it was showing less and less flowering stems.
    We wait to see if it will come back with more vigour.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/disease/kerria-twig-and-leaf-blight
    Devon.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    I lost my shrub to the blight, but a root that had suckered inside a drystone wall survived.  This year it was large enough to flower, the the first I've seen for a few years :)
  • parrotfeather*parrotfeather* Posts: 188
    It is best to cut it back hard when it finishes flowering, but wait a couple of years to let it settle in, as suggested.  It can be a real nuisance though and I have removed mine as the single flowered form is more attractive. 
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