Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie'
ABOUT
Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, boasts an appealing appearance with distinctive features. This plant is characterized by its dense, bushy habit that gracefully displays small, five-petaled flowers with a soft pink hue that can vary in intensity. The delicate blossoms stand out against a backdrop of small, pinnate leaves that are a bright green color, giving the Shrubby Cinquefoil a lush and full look throughout its flowering season. The leaves of this cultivar are finely textured and may take on a slightly bluish-green tinge, creating a lovely contrast with the warm tones of the flowers. These blooms, which resemble tiny wild roses, typically have a yellowish center, adding depth and dimension to the overall floral display. The plant's blooming period extends through the warmer months, ensuring a long-lasting display of color in the garden. The structure of the Shrubby Cinquefoil is rounded and contributes to its use in various landscaping situations. The branches are slender but sturdy, covered in an expanse of leaves and flowers that create a mass of foliage and color. Overall, 'Glenroy Pinkie' is known for its charming appearance and is a favorite among gardeners for its floriferous nature and the cheerful ambiance it provides.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Shrubby Cinquefoil, Bush Cinquefoil
Common names
Dasiphora fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', Pentaphylloides fruticosa 'Grenroy Pinkie', Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie'.
ToxicityTo humans
Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie') is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning in humans resulting from the ingestion of parts of this plant. As a result, it is not usually a concern for human toxicity. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to avoid ingesting plants not intended for consumption, as they may cause negative reactions or be harmful due to pesticides or other chemicals applied to them.
To pets
Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie') is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. There is no widely known or well-documented evidence indicating that this plant causes poisoning in pets, including common domestic animals like dogs and cats. Therefore, ingestion of this plant by pets is not expected to produce harmful effects. However, as with any non-food plant, ingestion can sometimes lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, so monitoring your pet and keeping non-food plants out of reach is still a good practice.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
2-6
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to Grow: The shrubby cinquefoil is a hardy plant that can thrive in a variety of soil types and conditions.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is quite tolerant to drought, making it a good choice for water-wise gardens.
- Attracts Wildlife: It can attract butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Long Flowering Period: With a blooming time from late spring to fall, the shrubby cinquefoil provides extended color and interest.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Deer Resistant: Its foliage and flowers are generally not favored by deer, reducing the chance of damage from wildlife.
- Varied Landscape Uses: Can be used in garden borders, as a ground cover, or in rockeries due to its compact habit.
- Winter Interest: Many varieties, including 'Glenroy Pinkie', retain their woody structure in winter, offering textural interest.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Glenroy Pinkie' can be used as a natural dye source, with various parts of the plant producing different hues for textiles.
- The plant's fibrous stems can be fashioned into small handcrafted items such as baskets, providing a rustic and natural touch.
- Its dense growth habit allows for use in windbreaks or as a privacy screen in gardens and landscapes.
- The bright flowers are suitable for decorating cakes and pastries as edible flowers, adding a splash of color to culinary creations.
- Shrubby Cinquefoil can serve as a living mulch, covering the ground and reducing the growth of weeds while maintaining soil moisture.
- Due to its resilience, the plant can be used in reclamation projects to stabilize soil in areas disturbed by construction or erosion.
- The flowers can be used in potpourri mixtures, providing a subtle fragrance and a touch of natural beauty to a room.
- The bush can be shaped into low hedges or borders along walkways, offering a structured yet soft edge to garden paths.
- Its dense root system can be used in slope stabilization, helping to prevent landslides and soil erosion on steep terrains.
- In areas with suitable climates, Shrubby Cinquefoil can be used as a drought-tolerant lawn alternative, offering a low-maintenance ground cover.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Shrubby Cinquefoil is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Shrubby Cinquefoil is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Endurance: As a hardy shrub, Potentilla, commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, symbolizes endurance and the ability to withstand various challenges.
- Resilience: With its capacity to thrive in poor soil conditions and resist pests and diseases, the Shrubby Cinquefoil embodies resilience and toughness.
- Daintiness: The 'Glenroy Pinkie' variant, with its delicate pink flowers, represents daintiness and a gentle beauty in the plant world.
- Protection: Historically, Potentilla species were believed to offer protection against evils and were sometimes used in folk magic for this purpose.
WaterShrubby Cinquefoil should be watered regularly but with moderation, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. In the growing season, water the plant once weekly with about 1 gallon of water. During the hot summer months, water twice a week if the weather is particularly dry. In the cooler autumn months, reduce watering to once every two weeks, and during winter, water sparingly, only when the soil is dry to the touch.
LightShrubby Cinquefoil thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. It should be planted in a spot where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, it is adaptable and can also tolerate light shade, especially in areas with very hot summers.
TemperatureShrubby Cinquefoil is cold hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F, ideal for planting in zones 2 through 7. It is heat tolerant up to 90°F but prefers cooler temperatures. The optimal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F and 75°F for vigorous growth.
PruningPrune Shrubby Cinquefoil in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This helps to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any dead or diseased branches. It is best to prune annually, cutting back about one-third of the oldest branches to encourage rejuvenation.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Shrubby Cinquefoil or Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie' should be well-draining and loamy with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Incorporate organic matter such as compost into the soil to improve fertility.
RepottingShrubby Cinquefoil, known as Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', does not frequently require repotting. It can be repotted every few years to replenish the soil, preferably in spring.
Humidity & MistingPotentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', commonly referred to as Shrubby Cinquefoil, prefers average to low humidity levels typical of outdoor environments and does not require special humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
2-7 USDA
Life cyclePotentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', also known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, starts its life cycle with seed germination, which occurs in late spring or early summer, given ideal conditions of moist soil and cool temperatures. The germinated seed grows into a small, woody shrub, with the vegetative stage characterized by the development of pinnate green leaves and a bushy structure resulting from active stem and branch growth. During the reproductive stage in late spring to summer, 'Glenroy Pinkie' produces abundant five-petaled, soft-pink flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After pollination, the plant sets small, dry fruit capsules that release seeds when mature, completing the cycle of seed dispersal for the next generation. As a perennial, the plant then enters a phase of dormancy in the fall and winter, where it conserves energy and prepares for the next growing season. Throughout its life, which can span several years, 'Glenroy Pinkie' continues this growth cycle, with older plants spreading outwards to form larger clumps and new shoots emerging from the base.
PropogationPropogation time
Late Winter - Early Spring
The most popular method of propagating Potentilla fruticosa 'Glenroy Pinkie', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is by softwood cuttings. This process is typically done in late spring to early summer when new growth is soft and flexible. Cuttings about 4 to 6 inches long are taken from the tips of healthy branches, making sure each cutting has at least two to three sets of leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end is often dipped in a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are then placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept moist until roots have developed, which can take a few weeks. After rooting, the new plants are gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions before being planted out in their final location.
