Potentilla (Five Finger Cinquefoil)

~ By Gardnbee ~

When we first moved into our current living spaces, indoors and out, the one noticeable absence were flowers and/or flowering shrubs. There were established Trees, some wildflowers growing here and there amidst them, but no others and so since we moved in during the late Autumn, we had to wait until Spring to start digging and planting what we felt needed to be added to give our outdoor spaces some color :)

It took me quite awhile to decide on which plant I would discuss for this month’s assignment, no easy task since each and every plant that stays with us year after year is loved beyond measure. But choose I must, so this falls to the precious Potentilla (Cinquefoil) shrubs we have growing along what used to be our Patio but is now our Garage Driveway entrance.

We acquired our three Potentilla flowering shrubs in the Spring of '86 because they were said to bloom continually from this time of year through to late fall and so they do giving us and other nectar gathering beings a wealth of enjoyment not to mention how cheery it is to see their bright yellow flowers on the dullest of days. During Autumn Celebrations they also add to the décor of pumpkins, squash, corn stalks and other decorative additions.

Another consideration for these plants is that they grow in recommended USDA Hardiness Zones as cold as 2 (below -50 to -40 F) and since we live in a USDA Hardiness Zone with temperatures as cold as 5 (-20 to -10 F) we felt confident they would survive without difficulty. Our Earth here has a high content of clay so even though they prefer a reasonably rich and well drained area for growth they do tolerate where they have been planted quite well.

When planting these shrubs we dug a hole that would accommodate their roots when loosened from their plastic containers; put a couple of handfuls of Oats (we never use Peat Moss for anything around here) amidst the Earth we shoveled back to cover them up to their crowns; gave them a very good watering; mulched them and basically called it quits. In Autumn when they have finished flowering we just cut them back to about 2 feet taking out old growth so that they remain easy to manage for next season. They require no actual maintenance other than this and simply share what is shared with them…Love!

         

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