Shrubby cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa · Rosaceae
📷 Walter Siegmund (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Shrubby cinquefoil is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Dasiphora fruticosa
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Plant type
- Deciduous shrub
- Adult height
- Approximately 120 cm
- Flowering
- April to September
- Flower colors
- Yellow, orange or white depending on variety
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -30°C)
- Origin
- Temperate and continental Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Potentilla tolerates poor, dry soils; a light pruning in February is enough to refresh its shape.
The common mistake
Many people over-water or over-enrich the soil thinking they're doing the right thing: potentilla responds by producing foliage without flowers.
The pro's trick
Pinch back young shoots regularly (May-July) to prevent an overly open habit; you'll get an ultra-compact shrub covered with flowers from base to top.
Seasonal watch
In winter, little care needed (-20°C); in a very rainy spring, no worries either.
Care
Sunlight
Shrubby cinquefoil thrives in full sun for generous and prolonged flowering. It tolerates partial shade but flowers less abundantly. Place it in an open location where it will receive at least 6 hours of daily sun.
Watering
This is a very water-efficient plant once established. Water regularly in the first year to anchor the root system well, then reduce watering. During prolonged dry periods, moderate watering is sufficient. Avoid excessive moisture which promotes diseases.
Soil
Cinquefoil adapts to most soils, including poor and chalky ground. It prefers well-draining soil and cannot tolerate waterlogging. Light, rocky or sandy soil suits it perfectly.
Pruning and trimming
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. In late winter, cut back branches by half to rejuvenate the shrub. Remove dead wood and crossing branches.
Fertilizer
Cinquefoil is undemanding and doesn't require regular fertilizing. A moderate application of compost or balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. On rich soil, excessive feeding will reduce flowering.
Diseases and pests
This is a very robust plant, rarely affected by parasites. Powdery mildew may appear in humid and stagnant conditions: improve air circulation by thinning if necessary. Root rot only occurs with excessive moisture.
Did you know?
Shrubby cinquefoil is a mountain plant native to cold regions of Asia. Its botanical name 'Dasiphora' comes from Greek and refers to its hairy appearance. In Japan, it has featured in Zen gardens for centuries, prized for its extended flowering that creates natural harmony throughout the summer.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- BrambleRubus fruticosus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.