About
Potentilla palustris, marsh cinquefoil, is a rhizomatous, woody-based perennial to 50 cm with lax, upright stems bearing grey-green leaves with five to seven leaflets. Loose clusters of deep-red flowers with large, red-flushed sepals appear in early summer. A rewarding native for a moist or boggy border, pond margin or rain garden.
About the genus
Potentilla are herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs or annuals with palmately or pinnately divided leaves and saucer-shaped, five-petalled flowers in yellow, white, pink or red over a long season. Widely grown in borders and rock gardens.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeBogs
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toTemp. N. Hemisphere
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
CultivationGrow in permanently wet, alkaline or neutral soil in full sun
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, or by division, in autumn or spring
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus