If you want an easy care, hardy addition to your garden, then shrubby cinquefoil is great to consider. It's a tough garden plant that keeps producing its carefree flowers all summer long. The species name was updated to Dasiflora fruticosa, but it is still sold under an older name of Potentilla fruticosa. A native plant to northern United States and Canada as well as Europe and northern Asia, it's well-loved with many cultivated varieties. Shrubby cinquefoil is easy to grow, even in poor soil. For high altitude gardens it tolerates very cold temperatures and handles crushing snow well.

The masses of single flowers on shrubby cinquefoil are described as cheerful blooms that resemble buttercups.  While plants with bright yellow flowers are often easier to find in garden centers, there are also flower colors ranging from the bright yellow mentioned, to light yellow, white, cream, apricot, coral, pink, and a yellow flower that's tinged with orange. Its flowers are about an inch across, and the shrub produces an abundance of cheery blooms usually from late spring into the fall. Flowering is best when planted in full sun but in the Owens Valley sites with some afternoon shade may be beneficial. Numerous flowers and a long bloom time make this shrub a pretty backdrop to a pollinator and butterfly garden. With low amounts of waxes, oils and resins, shrubby cinquefoil is considered a fair choice in fire prone areas. Any plant will burn so annual pruning of dead branches and removal of dry material is recommended. Pruning to maintain shape or height is best done in spring before flower buds develop.

Here's a list of features for this hardy shrub that works well in borders, as a foundation plant, or in mass plantings.

Plant Facts:

• USDA Hardiness Zone 3 – 7
• Once established is considered “water wise”
• Grows well in poor soil
• Low maintenance
• Medium fire resistance
• Easy to grow
• Few pest problems
• 3' tall to 6' wide, can be pruned to height
• Rounded growth habit
• Dark green, soft pinnate leaves
• Deciduous
• Cold hardiness
• Handles crushing snow
• Long summer blooming
• Non-toxic to dogs and cats
• Cultivated plant flower color choices: bright yellow, light yellow, white, cream, apricot, coral, pink or yellow tinged with orange.

 

 

White cinquefoil

Four different flower color specimens may be seen at the pocket park at the base of the Mammoth Lakes entrance sign. There you can see bright yellow blooms, light yellow blooms, pink blooms and white blooms during the summer months. To visit, park in the lot for the Police Department and courthouse and walk over to the small water-wise demonstration garden created by the local water district.