Potentilla fruticosa flower (24/07/2011, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: well drained soil
Flowering period: Spring and summer
Eventual Height: 1m
Eventual Spread: 1.5m
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a-7b
Family: Rosaceae
Potentilla fruticosa is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its foliage is borne upon a dense branching structure in the form of pinnate, dark green, pubescent, leaves, usually composed of five leaflets with entire margins. The plant may be either dioecious or hermaphroditic with the inflorescence taking the form of saucer shaped, bright yellow, terminal flowers which last from June to October. These are occasionally followed by dry, windborne fruit called an achene.
P. fruticosa, commonly known as the Shrubby Cinquefoil and in some botanical circles as Dasiphora fruticosa, is native to temperate regions in Asia and most of Europe including the UK. Its foliage was traditionally used as a substitute to more common types of tea in mountainous regions in Asia, where green tea was difficult to cultivate. There are over 130 cultivars of this plant.
Potentilla is derived from the Latin potens, meaning ‘potent, with fruticosa also being Latin meaning ‘bushy’.
Potentilla fruticosa (24/07/2011, London)
This plant may be useful to the landscape architect when dealing with troublesome, hard to maintain areas such as slopes and banks. An effective informal hedge may be formed by a row of this plant. It is also tolerant of costal regions and is drought resistant.
The royal horticultural society have given numerous cultivars of this species their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
This plant will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy at neutral, alkaline or acid pH levels, in loam, chalk or sand based soils, facing any sheltered or exposed aspect
Ecologically this plant will attract various species of pollinating insects such as honey bees and butterflies.
Maintenance: This plant requires little to no maintenance. Dead or damaged material may be removed in mid to late spring. Softwood cuttings of this plant may be taken in early summer.
