Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 'Chelsea Star'
ABOUT
Potentilla fruticosa 'Chelsea Star', commonly known as shrubby cinquefoil, is a compact, deciduous shrub recognized for its ornamental features. This plant showcases a dense, bushy form that provides a lush appearance. Its foliage consists of small, pinnate leaves that are divided into five to seven leaflets, arranged spirally along the stems. The leaves are a bright green and offer a fine-textured visual interest, with a delicate resemblance to palm fronds in miniature. The shrubby cinquefoil is best known for its vibrant flowers which bloom prolifically from late spring into the fall. Flowers are star-shaped with five petals, exuding a cheerful appeal. Each blossom is radiant yellow, a color that stands out against the green backdrop of the foliage, creating a striking contrast. The flowers are arranged in clusters, and they attract various pollinators such as bees and butterflies, adding to the dynamism of any garden setting. Throughout the growing season, the shrubby cinquefoil displays a showy mounds of color, texture, and life. The plant has a rugged resilience and remains dense and full, providing a continuous display of golden blooms which can easily become a focal point in a landscape design or a foundational element in a garden bed. Its fine-textured leaves add subtlety to its overall appearance, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add long-lasting and easy-to-maintain beauty to their outdoor spaces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Shrubby Cinquefoil, Bush Cinquefoil, Golden Hardhack, Potentilla, Five-finger shrub.
Common names
Dasiphora fruticosa, Potentilla fruticosa, Pentaphylloides fruticosa, Dasiphora floribunda.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There is no widespread documentation of toxicity or poisoning symptoms from ingesting any part of the Shrubby Cinquefoil.
To pets
Shrubby Cinquefoil is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. It is not commonly associated with any symptoms of poisoning in animals, so there are no specific consequences expected from ingestion of any part of the plant by pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
2-7
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attractive Blooms: Produces an abundance of star-shaped flowers that add visual interest to gardens.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is quite tolerant to drought, requiring minimal watering efforts.
- Low Maintenance: Requires very little pruning or other care, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Cold Hardy: Can withstand cold temperatures, making it suitable for a range of climates and hardy in many regions.
- Long Blooming Season: The shrubby cinquefoil has a prolonged blooming period, often from early summer to fall, providing extended garden color.
- Deer Resistant: Generally resistant to deer, which can help prevent damage to the plant and the overall garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers attract butterflies and bees, supporting local ecosystems and pollination in the garden.
- Versatile in Landscaping: Can be used in a variety of landscaping designs including borders, ground covers, and rock gardens.
- Disease and Pest Resistance: Exhibits resistance to many common pests and diseases, requiring less treatment and care.
- Soil Adaptability: Adapts well to a range of soil types, although it prefers well-drained soils.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye Production: Shrubby cinquefoil can be used to produce a natural yellow dye from its flowers and stems, which can be used in textile coloring.
- Erosion Control: Due to its robust root system, shrubby cinquefoil is often planted to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- Winter Interest: With its woody stems that retain a pleasant form, shrubby cinquefoil adds visual interest to winter landscapes where most other plants have died back.
- Wildlife Shelter: The dense foliage of shrubby cinquefoil provides shelter for small mammals and birds within garden ecosystems.
- Educational Resource: It can be used in schools and educational programs to teach about pollination as it attracts a variety of pollinators.
- Landscape Design: Shrubby cinquefoil is used for its compact and mounded habit, providing structure and form to garden designs.
- Border Planting: This plant is great for creating well-defined garden borders due to its uniform growth.
- Theme Gardens: Ideal for including in rock gardens, cottage gardens, or xeriscaping due to its varied texture and drought tolerance.
- Pollinator Garden Addition: Shrubby cinquefoil is a valuable addition to pollinator gardens as its flowers are rich in nectar and attract bees and butterflies.
- Photography Subject: Its bright yellow flowers and attractive foliage make shrubby cinquefoil a popular subject for botanical photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Shrubby Cinquefoil is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Shrubby Cinquefoil is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Survival and Resilience: Potentilla fruticosa, commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, often symbolizes survival and resilience due to its ability to thrive in harsh climates and poor soils.
- Attraction and Charm: The 'Chelsea Star' cultivar, with its bright and star-shaped flowers, can represent attraction and charm, reflecting the plant's appealing aesthetic.
- Humility: The modest size and simple beauty of the Shrubby Cinquefoil can be seen as a symbol of humility, not overpowering but gracefully accenting natural landscapes.
- Protection: In some traditions, cinquefoil plants are thought to possess protective properties, warding off negative energies and providing a safeguard to those nearby.
- Witchcraft and Magic: Historically, Potentilla species have been used in various magical practices and herbalism, suggesting the plant’s association with witchcraft and magic.
WaterThe Shrubby Cinquefoil should be watered deeply to encourage a strong root system, which typically means applying approximately 1 gallon of water per plant. During the growing season, it is essential to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; watering once a week is usually sufficient. However, frequency should be adjusted based on weather conditions; more frequent watering may be necessary during hot, dry spells. In the winter months or during cooler weather, reduce the watering frequency to prevent root rot as the plant's water requirements diminish.
LightShrubby Cinquefoil thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Place the plant in an area where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and flowering. If grown indoors, ensure a spot that is bright with some direct light, although it can tolerate light shade, being adaptable to varying light conditions.
TemperatureShrubby Cinquefoil is hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, withstanding minimum temperatures down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperatures well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, the plant prefers moderate temperatures typical of most temperate regions. Avoid extreme heat for prolonged periods as it may stress the plant.
PruningShrubby Cinquefoil benefits from pruning to maintain its shape, remove dead branches, and promote healthier growth. The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It can be pruned annually or as needed to remove old wood and thin out crowded branches, which encourages new flowering stems for the upcoming season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilShrubby Cinquefoil prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix could be equal parts of loam, peat, and coarse sand or perlite. Ensure adequate drainage to prevent root rot.
RepottingShrubby Cinquefoil is usually not repotted as it is a shrub; instead, it may be transplanted occasionally. However, if potted, it should only be repotted when it outgrows its container which is infrequent.
Humidity & MistingShrubby Cinquefoil thrives in average humidity levels. It is tolerant of various conditions and does not require high humidity, making it suitable for typical outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright light, ensure good airflow.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
2-7 USDA
Life cyclePotentilla fruticosa 'Chelsea Star', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, begins its life cycle as a seed, which requires a period of cold stratification to germinate. Upon sprouting, the seedling will develop a root system and foliage, entering into a vegetative growth state where it establishes itself. As it matures, the plant reaches the flowering phase, typically in late spring or early summer, during which it produces bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, inedible fruits (achenes). Post-reproduction, Shrubby Cinquefoil's growth slows down, and it enters a period of dormancy during the colder months, withstanding frost and snow. This perennial will repeat its growth cycle when conditions improve in the spring, often living multiple years and gradually growing into a dense, rounded shrub.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Potentilla fruticosa 'Chelsea Star', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is through softwood cuttings. This technique is best carried out in late spring or early summer when new growth is soft and green. To propagate, choose healthy, non-flowering stems and cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length just below a leaf node. Strip the lower leaves, leaving a few at the top, and dip the cut end into rooting hormone to increase the chances of successful rooting. Then, insert the cutting into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or sand, ensuring at least two sets of leaf nodes are buried. Water the cutting and keep it in a warm, humid environment with indirect sunlight, such as a greenhouse or under a plastic cover. Roots typically form within a few weeks, after which the new shrubby cinquefoil plants can be transplanted to a more permanent location.
