Potentilla

( poh - ten - TILL - uh)

At-A-Glance Information

Potentilla, also known as  Cinquefoil, Five Fingers, or Silverweed, is a genus of vigorous, easy to grow perennials that need partial shade in the warmest climates. Water needs vary depending on the species as does flower color which ranges from white or cream to pink, yellow, red and orange. Leaves can be green, greyish, or silvery. These plants are sometimes mistaken for Strawberry (Fragaria) plants due to their foliage, but Potentilla produces dry, inedible fruits, leading to the sometimes-used common name, 'Barren Strawberry'. Use these garden ornamentals in cottage-style or informal gardens, in beds, borders, or containers, 

Potentilla Species and Varietals

The genus Potentilla is a member of the plant family Rosaceae and includes over 500 species. The best growing zones for Cinquefoil vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Potentilla alchemilloides (Alchemilla-Leaved Cinquefoil)
This species is native to the Pyrenees Mountain range on the border of Spain and France, and produces an herbaceous upright perennial plant that reaches about a foot tall when mature and in bloom. Leaves are palmate, similar to those on Alchemilla plants, and are green. Flowers are white with cream to tan centers and have five petals. 

Potentilla argentea (Hoary Cinquefoil, Silver Cinquefoil, Silvery Cinquefoil, Silver-Leaf Cinquefoil)
These plants are native to Europe, Asia Minor, and Siberia, and is an introduced species in many areas of the world, including North America and New Zealand. Basal leaves are palmate and grey-green with silver-white hairy undersides. Flowers bloom a few at a time from spring through mid-summer. Blooms are sulphur-yellow. Plants can be upright or sprawling, reaching up to 20 inches  tall.

Potentilla atrosanguinea (Dark Crimson Cinquefoil, Himalayan Cinquefoil, Ruby Cinquefoil)
Best in zones 2b-9 and 14-24, this sprawling plant is native to the Himalayas in Bhutan and India and reaches 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Leaves are furry and silver-grey and flowers are red. A commonly grown variety 'Gibson's Scarlet', is an excellent choice for gardens.

Potentilla aurea (Golden Cinquefoil)
These flowering plants are native to the mountains of mainland Europe, and have been introduced to Turkey. There are many cultivars of this species commonly sold in nurseries as garden ornamentals, including 'Aurantiaca', 'Goldklumpen', and 'Plena'.

Potentilla californica (California Horkelia)
These plants are endemic to California, where they prefer to grow in scrubby coastal and inland mountain environments. These clump-forming perennials produce erect green stems that range in height from 4 to 40 inches tall. Leaves are green and hairy, and flowers are small and white, blooming between the months of April and July in the plant's native range.

Potentilla gordonii (Gordon's Mousetail)
These small perennial plants are native to mountain ranges in the western United States, from Montana to California. These plants form tufts of foliage in rocky areas, with overlapping thick leaves that form a tail-like appearance. Flowers are light yellow and tiny.

Potentilla indica (Duchesnea indica) (Mock Strawberry, Indian Strawberry, Snake Berry, False Strawberry, Backyard Strawberry)
These plants are native to southern and eastern areas of Asia, and have been introduced to many other areas of the globe as a medicinal and ornamental plant. It is considered invasive in some areas of the United States and Canada. Flowers are slightly yellow, and plants reach about 3-5 inches tall.

Potentilla marinensis (Point Reyes Horkelia)
This rare species is endemic to the California coastline between Fort Bragg and Santa Cruz. Plants prefer beaches and other sandy environments. These perennials are low-growing, reaching about 12 inches tall and wide when mature. Foliage is strongly scented and stems are greenish-red. Flowers are white and bloom in dense inflorescences.

Potentilla nepalensis (Nepalese Cinquefoil)
This species is best in zones 2b-9 and 14-24 and is native to the Himalayas. Flowers bloom in summertime on branched stems. This species is great for borders and as cut flowers, and performs well in coastal gardens. Varieties include 'Miss Willmott' (with dark-centered salmon flowers) and 'Ron McBeath' (with carmine blooms that have heart-shaped petals).

Potentilla neumanniana
Grows best in zones A1-A3 and 1-24 and is native to Europe. It looks dainty but is a tough groundcover, reaching 4-6 inches tall and spreading quickly. Leaves are bright green and flowers are yellow. Works as a bulb cover, and can be mowed to improve appearance. Variety 'Nana' is more compact, getting to just 3 inches tall.

​Potentilla recta 'Warrenii' (Potentilla recta 'Macrantha')
This species grows well in zones A2, A3, 1-10 and 14-24, and is native to Europe and Siberia. Forms a 2-foot tall clump of grey-green foliage and has a profuse bloom of yellow flowers in late spring. Not picky about soil.

Potentilla x tonguei
This hybrid is best in zones 2-24 and has a clumping habit to 4 inches tall and 1-2 feet wide. Leaves are dark green and apricot flowers with red centers bloom in late spring or summer.
Potentilla Shrubby Cultivars
This group of Cinquefoil are native to northern latitudes across the globe, and perform well in zones A1-A3, 1-11 and 14-21. Many have bright green to medium green foliage and bloom from late spring to early fall. They are easy-to-grow plants that like well-draining soil with moderate water. They can, however, tolerate poor soil, drought, and a good amount of heat. Varieties with red or orange blooms should be grown in partial shade so that the flower color doesn't bleach in the sun. Cut out old stems after blooms fade to make room for new growth. The following species are commonly sold in nurseries.
'Abbotswood'
3 feet tall and just as wide, with white flowers.
'Daydawn'
4 feet tall and wide, with pink-flushed yellow flowers.
'Elizabeth'
3 feet high and 3.5 feet wide with bright yellow blossoms.
'Floppy Disc'
2-3 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide with double deep pink flowers that fade in color in heat.
'Frosty'
1 foot tall and 3 feet wide, with with large white blooms.
'Goldfinger'
Golden yellow flowers on a plant that reaches 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
'Goldstar'
2.5 feet tall and a little less wide with bright yellow flowers.
'Jackman's Variety'
3-4 feet tall and 5 feet wide with bright yellow flowers.
'Katherine Dykes'
3 feet tall and just as wide, with pale yellow blooms.
'Mount Everest'
Bushy, upright plant to 4.5 feet tall and wide with pure white flowers.
'Pink Beauty'
3 feet tall and wide, with pink flowers.
'Primrose Beauty'
2-3 feet tall and wide, with silver green foliage and yellow flowers.
'Red Ace'
2 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide with bright red flowers with yellow centers and petal undersides. Flower color fades in sun and heat.
'Sunset'
1.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide, with red flowers that fade to orange or yellow in sun.
'Sutter's Gold'
1 foot tall and 3 feet wide with soft yellow blooms.
'Tangerine'
Grows 2.5 feet tall and just as tall, with bright orange-yellow flowers.

Caring for Potentilla

As long as Cinquefoil receives great drainage, they are not fussy about soil composition. 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Potentilla
Wikipedia: List of Potentilla Species
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 527, Potentilla
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