Potentilla anglica
English cinquefoil
Overview
Potentilla anglica, English cinquefoil or trailing tormentil, is a low, creeping herbaceous perennial in the rose family (Rosaceae) of hybrid origin between tormentil (Potentilla erecta) and creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans). It begins as a basal rosette and sends out slender trailing stems 12-32 inches (30-80 cm) long that root at some of the nodes, forming loose mats over the ground. The long-stalked leaves are palmate with three to five toothed leaflets, the lower ones often five-parted and the upper ones three-parted. From June to September yellow flowers 0.5-0.7 inch (12-18 mm) across open singly on long stalks from the leaf axils, usually with four petals, sometimes five, set above a green calyx. It grows on light, acidic to neutral soils in grassland, heath edges, banks, woodland rides, and roadsides. Being intermediate between its two parents, it can be tricky to tell apart from them where they grow together. It dies back to the rootstock in winter and reshoots in spring.
Native Range
Potentilla anglica is native to western and central Europe, growing on light, mildly acidic to neutral soils in grassland, heath margins, banks, and open woodland. It has been recorded as an introduction in parts of North America.Suggested Uses
Used as low, informal ground cover on banks, in wildflower grassland, and at woodland and border edges on light soils, where the rooting stems knit together. The long succession of small yellow flowers feeds bees and hoverflies through summer.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 2'8"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from June to September, with single yellow flowers opening a few at a time along the trailing stems. Each flower is 0.5-0.7 inch (12-18 mm) across, usually four-petalled, and draws small bees and hoverflies. Dry one-seeded fruits follow, clustered on the old flower base.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 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
Potentilla anglica grows in full sun to part shade on light, free-draining, mildly acidic to neutral soils and tolerates low fertility. It is hardy in roughly USDA zones 5 to 8 and dies back to the rootstock each winter. The trailing stems root at the nodes and let it spread into open mats, useful as informal ground cover but able to wander in borders. It needs little care once established and copes with dry, grassy banks. It is increased by seed or by lifting rooted runners. It has few pests beyond the occasional rust.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Trailing stems can be trimmed back in autumn or spring to keep the plant within bounds. Rooted runners are lifted and replanted or removed where spread is not wanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons