kerria japonica...

I've got one of these - they're so pretty aren't they with their little pompom flowers

Oh yes, they are lovely, and I like the way the stems are bright green too. They don't seem to get very woody.

I keep mine well pruned - I got it off my next door neighbour and his is massive and very straggly

Good tip Sheila. Mine has only been in for three years, so it is not needing a prune yet, only a bit of a tidy up
- but I'm glad to hear it responds well.

Mine is only 1 year old and I've already pruned it!!
I take about 6 inches off the top tips and it keeps it small (ish), I think pruning it keeps it very upright and straight too, instead of splaying out at the sides. I'll get a pic of it tomorrow and put on here. Pruning it hasn't stopped it flowering!!!

Excellent! love your blue avatar, it looks great with my narcissi!! lol ;))))

Yeah, blue and yellow go together well :o))

Mine reaches 10' and looks spectacular. It has one drawback. It is a spreader through wandering roots. I have started putting the spade in round about it to cut any that are growing away from home and am seriously thinking of growing it in a pot sunk in the ground. I have just been looking at pics of mine. The flowers on mine are more shaggy looking I am wondering if this is a more modern version of pleniflora.

Thanks SG...I'll keep an eye out for the runners!

I bought one of these today Karen - superb things - rather alike the cornus in winter

Yes, it is so pretty Paul. Mine is in the front garden so I don't see it very often, but it is so pretty in the spring, and it is one of, if not the first plant to leaf in my garden :)

yes Karen - one of my dilemmas in buying - bought mid winter fire cornus - to show off in front or to see myself - the front got it :D It is one of those things that look good with or without leaves/flowers to me too.

;) with me it's usually more about the colour.....if it's yellow it goes in the front....until I got the big arches and now they are yellow and blue, so I 'could' get another Kerria and put it on the arches...mmmmm....

would be an idea Karen for loads at back for me with yellow and blue

Yes, I might be able to squeeze one in for early colour!

If you are planting it where its wandering roots might make it a problem I'd plant it in a bottomless pot sunk in the ground. The roots which go walkies do not seem to be very deep, they are just very prolific.

Thank you SG...good tip. I've not had any of the suckers yet on the one in the front, so I wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks :)