Potentilla fruticosa Orangissima - Shrubby Cinquefoil

Potentilla Orangissima is a particularly floriferous variety, with the most intense orange colour of all single-flowered varieties. It naturally forms a densely branching bush with a spread twice as wide as its height. Its mid-spring to summer flowers continue into the autumn, making it one of the most decorative low-growing shrubs. With its medium green foliage and beautifully coloured flowers, it will bring a touch of cheerfulness to borders, rockeries, and balconies for several weeks. Easy to grow, it is suitable for all gardeners, even beginners!

The shrub Potentillas are native to the northern hemisphere and belong to the large botanical family Rosaceae. This family provides us with most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Apple, Pear, Plum, Apricot, Peach, etc.), as well as many ornamental plants (Hawthorn, Cotoneaster, roses of course, Photinia, Prunus...) and numerous wild plants that brighten up our countryside. Potentilla fruticosa is low growing shrub that has produced, with the help of breeders, a certain number of charming varieties.
'Orangissima' shines with its flowers, renowned for being the darkest orange of all single-flowered varieties. Its 5 well-spread petals, bright orange with some slightly lighter areas, surround a yellow-green centre.  These flowers contrast nicely with the medium green foliage. Wider than tall, this shrub reaches a height of about 50 cm (20in) at maturity with a spread of 100 cm (39in) or more, forming a low-growing, ground-covering cushion with an interesting habit. Its deciduous foliage consists of 3 cm (1in) long, pinnate leaves with narrow leaflets. The abundant flowering starts in May-June and finishes in October, weather permitting, with a small lull in August before the resurgence in September.
This low-growing shrub is not very demanding regarding soil type and can grow in a fairly wide pH range. Its only requirement is well-drained soil, and it can tolerate both moist soil and some drought (although some summer watering will be welcome to support flowering).

By placing Potentilla Orangissima at the front of your flowerbeds, you will quickly achieve brightly coloured, flower-filled borders worthy of impressionist paintings. It will have a beautiful effect alongside perennials such as white-flowered Gauras that bloom at the same time or stunning Iris germanica with their dazzling but short-lived blooms. It will also harmonise nicely with Mediterranean plants such as Lavenders, Rosemary, or Rockroses, creating a warm and fragrant ambiance. For a contemporary scene, its compact habit will perfectly complement plants with a more slender or tousled appearance (Phormiums, Grasses, Euphorbias, Fennels). On a slope or rockery, where they are ideally placed if your garden soil is heavy or clay, they can also be associated with dwarf and creeping Conifers, creeping Ceanothus or even groundcover and landscape Roses.