Bush or Shrubby Cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa (ROSACEAE)
Planting and Growing Bush Cinquefoil
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow bush or shrubby cinquefoil in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and seeds of bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- Growing conditions for bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- When and where to plant bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- How to plant bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- How to shape, prune and control growth of bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- Landscape uses of bush or shrubby cinquefoil
- Pest and disease control for bush or shrubby cinquefoil
Growing Bush Cinquefoil
Many cultivars of medium- to slow-growing, textured, dense, round, deciduous shrubs, 2–4 ft. (60–120 cm) tall, with shiny, light or deep green, oval or lance-shaped, usually 5-lobed, divided leaves, to 3/4‑in. (19-mm) long.
Many flowering perennials, including ruby cinquefoil Potentilla atrosanguinea; spotted cinquefoil, Potentilla neumanniana; and sulphur cinquefoil, Potentilla recta, are closely related species.
Bush Cinquefoil Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Seeds
Many open, orange, pink, red, white, or yellow, long-lasting, single flowers, to 1‑1/4‑in. (32-mm) wide, in spring–autumn, form brown seed on female shrubs.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 2–9. Hardy.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist to damp, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich–low. 6.0–8.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to partial shade. Space 3–4 ft. (90–120 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep moist; allow soil surface to dry between waterings until established. Fertilize quarterly spring–autumn. Mulch, zones 2–4. Prune after bloom. Protect from sun in hot climates. Propagate by division, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for backgrounds, beds, borders, edgings, hedges in cottage, formal, rock, small-space gardens. Drought tolerant. Disease resistant. Spider mite susceptible.