Japanese marigold (Kerria japonica) "pleniflora"

Kerria belongs to rose family, native to China, Korea and Japan. The native plant has yellow 5-petaled simple flowers but int horticulture the double-flowered form "pleniflora" is usually grown .

Kerria prefers warm fertile place protected from northern winds. In warmer climate grows up to 3m high but in Estonia remains smaller. It is best grown in semi-shade where the flowers have deeper colour and will not bleach.

Flowers grow on last-year branches so it has to be pruned after flowering. Pruning makes a bush more compact and more resistant to frosts.

Gives many suckers so can cover large area fast.

Zone 5