Potentilla
Discover Potentilla at Proven Winners®! This long-flowering plant produces masses of small, apple blossom-like flowers from early summer to autumn. Compact, easy to maintain and drought tolerant, ideal for borders.
Potentilla (shrubby cinquefoil): color and flowering that continues into autumn
Potentilla, also known as shrubby cinquefoil, is one of the most reliable summer bloomers you can plant in your garden. From summer onwards, an abundance of small flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, or pink appear and last for weeks. Thanks to its compact growth, drought tolerance, and easy care, Potentilla is a favorite choice for borders, rock gardens, or sunny spots where few other shrubs bloom for long periods.
Within the Proven Winners® range, the Happy Hearts® Pink Star selection is known as a robust, long-flowering variety. The plant has pink flowers with a white star in the center. Very hardy, compact, and with abundant flowering.
Why Potentilla deserves a place in your garden
What makes Potentilla so special? First of all, it's the flowering: where many plants stop in summer, this shrub continues well into autumn. Such prolonged flowering is rare among shrubs. Potentilla is also hardy, resistant to wind and drought, and requires little maintenance. The foliage remains fresh green alongside the flowers until late autumn, which beautifully enhances the flowers in contrast.
Proven Winners® Potentilla Happy Hearts® Pink Star has been selected for its ability to retain its flower colour throughout its flowering period. Like most other Potentilla, Happy Hearts® Pink Star has a compact growth habit, making it suitable for use in both spacious gardens and smaller borders.
Growth, location & planting
Potentilla thrives in full sun to partial shade. It flowers more profusely in a sunny spot. The soil must be well-drained, preferably with a mixture of garden soil and some organic material to improve its structure. Young plants need a little extra water during dry periods in their first few years; once established, they are often very drought-tolerant.
Maintenance you hardly notice
A big advantage of Potentilla is that it requires little attention. In early spring, you can prune the plant back lightly to 15-20 cm to keep it fresh and maintain its shape. Occasionally remove old, weakened branches to stimulate new growth and flowering.
How to use Potentilla in your garden
Potentilla is ideal as a low flowering element in borders or as edging along paths. In groups or clusters, it fills empty spaces with colour. In rock gardens, its resistance to drought makes it ideal for planting between stones and gravel. Because the plant is compact, it can even be used in pots or tubs for balconies or terraces.
Potentilla, the reliable and long-flowering shrub for your garden
Potentilla (cinquefoil) is a reliable, long-flowering shrub that combines beauty and structure. Thanks to its flowering power, easy care and compatibility with different garden styles, it is a valuable addition to almost any garden. The Proven Winners® Happy Hearts® selection guarantees extra reliability and appeal, ideal for those who want colour without the hassle.
FAQ
When does Potentilla flower?
Potentilla is known for its exceptionally long flowering period. The first flowers usually appear in June and flowering often continues well into autumn, sometimes even until the first frost. This makes it one of the longest-flowering ornamental shrubs for the garden.
How big does Potentilla grow?
Most Potentilla species remain compact and grow to between 30 and 60 cm in height. Depending on the cultivar, the shrub can grow slightly wider, giving it a full, bushy shape. This makes Potentilla suitable for both small gardens and large borders.
Can Potentilla grow in partial shade?
Yes, Potentilla tolerates partial shade, but the plant flowers most profusely in a sunny position. The more sun, the more flowers and the longer the flowering period.
How and when should you prune Potentilla?
Prune Potentilla back lightly in early spring. This stimulates young shoots, maintains a compact shape and keeps the shrub vigorous. Old or dead twigs can be removed at the same time.
Is Potentilla hardy?
Yes, Potentilla is extremely hardy (often down to -25 °C) and recovers effortlessly in spring. Its fresh foliage and abundant flowering make the shrub a reliable choice year after year.