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Dasiphora fruticosa
potentilla, cinquefoil
Circumpolar — North America, Europe, and Asia in arctic, subarctic, and alpine habitats; meadows, stream banks, and rocky slopesLearn more
Key Features
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low
Overview
Dasiphora fruticosa is shrubby cinquefoil (potentilla), a mounding deciduous shrub growing 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall and 3-5 feet (90-150 cm) wide. Five-petaled flowers 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) in clear yellow (species) — cultivars range from white through cream, pink, and orange. Blooms continuously from June through October (20 weeks). Gray-green silky-hairy pinnately compound leaves with 5-7 fine-textured leaflets. In Rosaceae. Formerly classified as Potentilla fruticosa. Circumpolar native — arctic, subarctic, and alpine habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. Pink and orange cultivars fade to white or pale yellow in sustained heat above 85°F (29°C) — this color fading is the primary limitation for non-yellow cultivars. Yellow cultivars hold color in heat. Spider mites cause stippled foliage in hot dry conditions. Tolerates extreme cold (zone 2), alkaline soil, drought, wind, and poor rocky soil. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is slow to moderate.
Native Range
Circumpolar — native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Found in arctic, subarctic, and alpine habitats: meadows, stream banks, and rocky slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown as a low hedge, mass planting, foundation planting, and in containers of at least 5 gallons (19 L), spaced 3-5 feet (90-150 cm). Continuous summer-fall bloom (20 weeks). Tolerates cold, drought, alkaline soil, wind, and poor soil. Use yellow cultivars in hot climates. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Early summer through fall (June-October). Five-petaled flowers 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) in yellow, white, pink, or orange depending on cultivar. 20 weeks of continuous bloom. Bee- and butterfly-pollinated.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Clear yellow (species), 5-petaled, 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) diameter; cultivars range from white through cream, pink, and orangeFoliage Description
Gray-green, silky-hairy, pinnately compound with 5-7 leaflets each 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm); fine-textured; turns yellow in fallGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Full sun to partial shade (4-12 hours — full sun for non-yellow cultivar color). Any well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.5 — tolerates alkaline, rocky, poor, and clay soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Pink/orange cultivars fade in heat above 85°F (29°C). Spider mites in hot dry conditions. Blooms on new wood — prune in early spring. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 2-7.Pruning
Prune in early spring (February-March) before new growth — blooms on current season's wood. Cut back to 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) for complete renewal, or remove 1/3 of oldest stems for gradual renovation. Tolerates shearing for formal low hedges.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons