Potentilla fruticosa Sommerflor - Shrubby Cinquefoil

Potentilla fruticosa 'Sommerflor' is a low and wide-growing shrub Potentilla with a long flowering period. From late spring to early autumn, it is adorned with beautiful golden yellow flowers, complemented by its dark green foliage. Easy to grow, very hardy, requiring little maintenance, this groundcover shrub fits in anywhere, in borders, on slopes and in flower beds, but also in large pots on the patio. It is a highly rewarding plant, capable of adapting to most situations, provided that the soil is well-drained.

Potentilla fruticosa is a woody shrub belonging to the large and important Rosaceae family, which gives us with so many ornamental species (Roses obviously, but also Photinia, Cotoneaster, Amelanchier...) as well as most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Pear tree, Apple tree, Cherry tree, Peach tree, Apricot tree, Plum tree...). The genus Potentilla has two major groups, herbaceous plants, like the spring Potentilla of our countryside, and then the shrub species.
The variety 'Sommerflor' offers long-lasting flowers, starting in June, or even May, and lasting until September, sometimes even October. This makes it a valuable plant in the garden, especially since it is very easy to grow, perfect for the novice gardener. Its pretty single flowers with 5 petals are quite large and a bright golden yellow colour, creating a bright spot in the garden. Shaped like a shallow cup, their centre is a darker yellow shade, with the stamens clearly visible. Its deciduous dark green foliage, slightly greyish due to a fine hair covering, forms a perfect backdrop for its flowers.
This shrubby Potentilla forms wide cushions in about ten years, about 80 cm (32in) to 1 m (3ft) wide and 50 to 1m (20 to 32in) high. It has a medium growth rate, growing at a rate of 10 to 25 cm (4 to 10in) per year. It grows in most garden soils, with a neutral pH or even moderately alkaline soil, in full sun or partial shade. Well established, it tolerates dry conditions relatively well, although it will always appreciate some watering in summer.

In full sun, Potentillas will deliver flowers with more pronounced colours, while in partial shade, the colour will be slightly less intense. Easy-to-grow plants, floriferous and beautifully coloured, Potentillas are ideal for brightening up the garden or balcony. With their Scottish rose-like appearance and their very modest requirements, they can be used in multiple ways and planted anywhere: in flower beds, rockeries, borders, low hedges, pots...in most climates and in any well-drained soil. Potentilla Sommerflor will have a beautiful effect in the company of small colourful shrubs. The graceful Philadelphus Frosty Morn, an American variety of Mock Orange with small growth and double white fragrant flowers, will make a good background for our little Potentilla. Forsythia Mikador, with its explosion of yellow flowers in March-April, will extend the flowering season, and Weigela florida 'Victoria', with its purple foliage and intense pink flowers, will create a beautiful leaf-flower contrast. For an even more intense flowering contrast, chose Vitex agnus-castus Blue Puffball, a small Chaste Tree with aromatic foliage and lavender blue spikes in summer.