Potentilla tridentata Nuuk - Cinquefoil

Potentilla tridentata Nuuk is a perennial, evergreen and ground cover potentilla, which has the advantage of abundant flowering in early summer and maintaining a beautiful appearance throughout the year. Its bright green foliage, resembling that of a strawberry, comes alive in summer with numerous delicate white flowers, reminiscent of pear blossoms, and then the carpet turns orange and purple in autumn and winter. Its slender, ramified stems spread endlessly among the bushes, along the pathways, where few plants are willing to grow. This perennial thrives in all well-drained soils that are moist or even dry. A great asset for quickly covering difficult areas and rockeries, in full sun or partial shade!

Potentilla tridentata, recently renamed Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, belongs to the Rosaceae family. This plant, adapted to cold climates and rather poor soils, is native to the northeastern United States, eastern Canada (including Quebec), Greenland, and the French archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. 'Nuuk', from which it originates, is a variety selected for its more abundant flowering. It is a herbaceous perennial, woody at the base, forming a low and compact tuft of 10 cm (4 in) in height, spreading at least 50 cm (20 in). Its foliage is very shiny green and generally evergreen, before taking on beautiful yellow, orange, and red hues in cold weather. The leaves are divided into three lobes with three teeth at their tips. Flowering occurs in June-July, with possible reblooming in autumn. The flowers appear on slightly loose, ramified stems, at the end of reddish stems. They are typical of Rosaceae flowers, as seen on pear, plum, or cherry trees. However, they are entirely white, measuring about 1 cm (0.4 in) in diameter, and also have white stamens.

This convenient ground cover grows everywhere, suppresses weeds, and is equivalent to periwinkle, Geranium nodosum, ivy, Hypericum calycinum, and Waldsteinia ternata, but in full sun or partial shade. It will also thrive along sunny pathways or at the base of shrubs or tall trees, as it is not bothered by their roots. Finally, to brighten up the base of roses, it can be planted alongside perennial geraniums ('Ann Folkard', Endressi), Oenothera speciosa ('Alba' or 'Rosea'), Erigeron karvinskianus, or Teucrium chamaedrys. It is a perfect plant for wild gardens, weekend gardens, or gardens without gardeners. It is also used in green roofs.