About

A compact, twiggy shrub to about 1m, with small leaves comprising five narrow leaflets. Pink, bowl-shaped flowers, silver on the reverse of the petals, with a yellow eye, are produced from late spring to mid-autumn.

About the genus

Potentilla can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs, or annuals, with palmately or pinnately divided leaves and solitary or clustered, saucer-shaped, 5-petalled flowers appearing over a long period

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Coastal
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers

Care notes

CultivationEasy to grow in most soils but flowers fade more rapidly in full sun and last longer in moister soils
PruningPruning group 10
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus