PSC 2620: Woody Trees and ShrubCourse HomeWeek 2

Potentilla fruticosa - Potentilla or Cinquefoil

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Five-petaled, one inch blossoms cover the bush during the summer months. The delicate leaves of the Potentilla typically have five small leaflets.

Plant Description

Potentilla fruticosa,or Potentilla or Cinquefoil, is a small shrub (4 feet high and wide) that is very common in both residential and commercial landscapes due to its hardiness, soft texture and showy blooms. It will naturally form an irregularly shaped bush with a slight weeping habit towards the ends of the branches. It can also be easily pruned and sheared, and is regularly seen in well manicured forms in commercial landscapes. Some large stems form in the plant, but the majority of growth occurs on the droves of finer stems.

The green leaves are alternately pinnately compound and less than an inch long. There are normally five leaflets, from which the plant gains ones of its common names (Cinquefoil). The leaves are soft. The small leaves give the plant a fine texture and it appears to be a delicate plant but in reality is one of the hardiest.

Round, one inch flowers with five petals cover the stems of the shrub in summer and last throughout the fall. The flowering is very dense and showy which, combined with its long bloom period, makes Potentilla one of the best flowering shrubs.

Landscape Use

Best used as a flowering accent in borders or in mass plantings. Potentilla fruticosa is often used as a foundation planting because of its small size, early spring leafing and colorful blossoms.

Points of interest

While Potentilla fruticosa performs exceptionally in climates with cold winters, it will not do well in more temperate climates. Our high dosage of summer UV rays will bleach the color out of the blossoms on many cultivars as the summer progresses. Pink blossoms will often become white, and red and orange blossoms will become yellow. Plant in a location that is protected from the late afternoon sun to preserve better color.

Notable Cultivars

Abbotswood: Profuse white blossoms stand out against the blue-green foliage of this cultivar.


Red Ace: Dark red-orange blossoms. Blossoms will end up more orange than red in Utah. Image: Wikipedia.org


Gold Drop: A superior yellow-blooming Potentilla and one of the most widely used cultivars. Very profuse and consistent bloomer.


Tangerine: Yellow blossoms with heavy orange overtones are very beautiful. Unfortunately, I have had little success with maintaining.


Apricot Whisper: Apricot colored flowers with light green foliage. Slightly smaller than most other cultivars.


Pink Beauty: Pure pink flowers with dense green foliage.