Potentilla erecta
tormentil
Europe, western Asia, and North Africa
Overview
Potentilla erecta is a low, clump-forming perennial in the rose family, growing 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) tall with slender, sprawling to upright stems. The leaves are deeply three-lobed, with two leaf-like stipules at the base giving the appearance of five leaflets, each toothed and stalkless. From May to September it bears solitary yellow flowers 0.3–0.6 inch (8–15 mm) across on long thread-like stalks, each with four petals rather than the five usual in the genus. The plant grows from a thick, woody rootstock that is reddish inside and rich in tannins, long used in tanning leather and as a folk remedy. It grows on acidic soils in heaths, moors, bogs, and unimproved grassland, tolerating poor, wet, and infertile ground. The wiry stems often root where they touch the soil, forming small patches. It dies back to the rootstock over winter. Flowering is spread thinly through the season rather than in a single flush.
Native Range
Native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. It is common across heaths, moorland, bogs, and acidic grassland from the lowlands to high mountains, growing as far north as the Arctic.Suggested Uses
Used in wildflower and heathland plantings, bog gardens, and acidic native borders. Suited to damp, infertile ground where it knits into low cover. Grown in conservation lawns and naturalized grassland for its long succession of yellow flowers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Blooms from May to September, with the most flowers in June and July. Individual flowers are short-lived but open in succession over the long season. The flowers close in dull weather and track sunlight when open.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid to deep greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Grows in full sun to part shade on moist, acidic soils with a pH of 4.0–6.0, including peaty and boggy ground. It tolerates poor, infertile soils and seasonal waterlogging that suit few border plants. No feeding is needed, and rich soil produces lax, floppy growth. Plants are propagated by seed or by division of the rootstock in spring. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8 and undemanding once established. The trailing stems can root where they touch moist ground, slowly widening the clump.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Spent stems are cut back in late autumn or left over winter as cover for invertebrates. Self-rooted runners are lifted and replanted in spring to propagate or contain the patch.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons