This is another slightly unusual genus of only one species which originates from Korea, China and Japan. In appearance it looks a bit like some species of rubus but is actually a relative of kerria. The other name for Rhodotypos scandens is R. kerriodes.
The attraction of growing this smallish deciduous shrub, which can achieve 5ft in height eventually, is its large four petalled white flowers which are around 1.5in across when fully open. They appear with us in late April and May from the shoot tips and singly. They offset nicely against the tapering sharply toothed and veined mid-green leaves which are 6in long. The flowers have the same appearance as those of the common hedgerow dog rose. In less mild parts of the country flowers may be displayed in June or July.
After flowering R. scandens produces glossy black berries which will readily germinate in a cold frame in a container when sown in the autumn. Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings are fairly straightforward in early or mid summer.
R. scandens flowers best when grown in full sun in a moist well drained soil of moderate quality. It does perfectly well with us in a shrub border in partial shade and is not at all a difficult plant to grow well.
