Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger'
ABOUT
Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger', is a deciduous shrub known for its ornamental appeal. This plant boasts a compact and bushy habit, presenting a dense, finely textured foliage. The leaves are small, pinnate, and typically a bright green color, creating a backdrop for the striking flowers. The 'Goldfinger' cultivar is particularly noted for its bright yellow flowers that are larger than those of other Shrubby Cinquefoil varieties. The blooms have five petals, forming a shallow cup shape, and they cover the shrub throughout the summer and often into the fall, providing a long season of color. These flowers can be a magnet for bees and butterflies, adding an element of activity and interest to the garden. The Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger' is a resilient plant that can adapt to a wide range of conditions and can often be found contributing to the vibrancy of ornamental gardens, borders, and foundation plantings.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
Shrubby Cinquefoil, Bush Cinquefoil, Golden Hardhack, Potentilla, Goldfinger.
Common names
Dasiphora fruticosa 'Goldfinger', Pentaphylloides fruticosa 'Goldfinger', Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger'.
ToxicityTo humans
Shrubby cinquefoil is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no widespread reports of toxicity or poisoning from ingesting parts of this plant.
To pets
Shrubby cinquefoil is also generally recognized as non-toxic to pets. It is not known to cause poisoning in animals if they ingest parts of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Spread
3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
2-7
Native area
Northern Hemisphere
Benefits
General Benefits- Low maintenance: The plant is easy to care for and requires minimal upkeep, making it ideal for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Long blooming period: It produces vibrant yellow flowers that bloom throughout the summer, enhancing garden aesthetics for an extended period.
- Cold hardiness: The shrub is capable of withstanding colder temperatures, making it suitable for a variety of climates.
- Attracts pollinators: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, promoting pollination in the garden environment.
- Deer resistance: It is generally resistant to browsing by deer, protecting both the plant and the overall garden landscape.
- Versatility in landscaping: Can be used for border planting, ground cover, and as a foundational plant in garden designs.
- Compact size: With a manageable size, it fits well in small gardens or spaces without overwhelming the area.
- Seasonal interest: Its foliage often changes color in the fall, providing additional seasonal interest in the garden.
- Disease resistance: Typically, the plant shows good resistance to common diseases, ensuring it remains healthy with less intervention.
Medical Properties- Antidiarrheal: Potentilla fruticosa can be used to manage diarrhea due to its astringent properties.
- Anti-inflammatory: The plant may exhibit anti-inflammatory effects on the skin.
- Astringent: It can be used topically for tightening tissues and reducing discharge.
- Gastrointestinal health: It is sometimes used to treat mild digestive system discomfort.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Shrub border inclusion: Goldfinger shrubby cinquefoil can be used to create a vibrant border for garden beds due to its bright yellow flowers and dense foliage.
- Rock garden specimen: Its compact growth habit and tolerance for poor soil make it suitable for rock gardens, adding color and texture.
- Erosion control: Goldfinger can be planted on slopes to help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion due to its robust root system.
- Bonsai: With careful pruning and training, shrubby cinquefoil can be cultivated as a bonsai, showcasing its miniature blooms and foliage in a small form factor.
- Garden topiary: Skilled gardeners can shape Goldfinger into various forms, such as spheres or cubes, making it a living art piece in the garden.
- Wildlife garden: The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it an excellent choice for a wildlife or pollinator-friendly garden.
- Hedge planting: Due to its dense growth, it can be used to form low hedges for defining pathways or garden areas.
- Thematic color landscaping: Its bright yellow flowers make it ideal for a color-themed garden space, especially in combination with plants that have purple or blue flowers.
- Fall interest: Although primarily known for its spring and summer blooms, Goldfinger's foliage can turn an attractive orange to red in the fall, providing extended seasonal interest.
- Container gardening: Goldfinger shrubby cinquefoil can be grown in containers on patios or balconies where ground planting is not an option.
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- Hardiness: Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is a robust, hardy plant that can withstand challenging climates and poor soil conditions, symbolizing resilience and the ability to endure tough situations.
- Longevity: The Shrubby Cinquefoil has a long blooming season, which symbolizes a long and fulfilling life, as well as endurance over time.
- Simplicity: With its simple, yet charming yellow flowers, Shrubby Cinquefoil is often associated with simplicity and humble beauty, evoking a sense of modesty and unpretentiousness.
- Cheerfulness: The bright yellow flowers of 'Goldfinger' bring a sense of brightness and positivity, making it symbolic of cheerfulness and joy.
- Prosperity: In some cultures, yellow flowers can symbolize wealth and prosperity, and therefore Shrubby Cinquefoil may be used to wish someone financial success and well-being.
WaterShrubby Cinquefoil, or Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', prefers moderately moist soil and requires consistent watering, especially during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant. Water the base of the plant thoroughly, ensuring that the soil is damp to a depth of at least 2 inches. During the active growing season in spring and summer, it typically needs watering once a week. However, you might need to water it more frequently during prolonged dry spells or extreme heat. A good rule of thumb is to provide about 1 gallon of water every week during these peak seasons, adjusting as necessary based on weather conditions and soil drainage.
LightShrubby Cinquefoil thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant would receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, which encourages abundant flowering and healthy growth. However, in extremely hot climates, it will benefit from some afternoon shade to protect it from the intense heat of the day.
TemperatureThe ideal temperature range for Shrubby Cinquefoil is from 60°F to 75°F. It is a hardy plant that can withstand temperatures as low as -30°F and as high as 90°F, making it well-suited for a variety of climates. For optimal growth, it should be planted in an area where the temperature conditions fall within this range throughout the growing season.
PruningPruning Shrubby Cinquefoil is essential to maintain its shape and encourage more prolific blooming. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Cut back the old branches to about a third of their length to promote new growth and flowers. It's also a good practice to remove any dead or damaged wood. This plant can be pruned annually to keep a tidy appearance.
CleaningAs needed
SoilShrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger' thrives in well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, generally around 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite is ideal to ensure drainage and fertility.
RepottingShrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger' is typically grown outdoors and does not require frequent repotting. If grown in containers, repot it every 2-3 years or when it outgrows the pot.
Humidity & MistingShrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions, making it adaptable to various outdoor climates.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide full light and well-draining soil for indoor Shrubby Cinquefoil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade, in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
2-7 USDA
Life cyclePotentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, starts its life cycle with seed germination, often in late spring to early summer, under appropriate conditions of warmth and moisture. The seedling stage involves the development of a small rosette of leaves and a root system capable of supporting future growth. As it matures into a vegetative plant, it forms a woody base with multiple stems and an abundance of pinnate leaves, entering a period of active growth that may last several years. In the reproductive stage, typically beginning in late spring to early summer of the following years, 'Goldfinger' produces bright yellow, saucer-shaped flowers that are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the plant creates small dry fruits containing seeds which are then dispersed, completing its reproductive cycle. Throughout its life, which may span several years to a couple of decades depending on conditions, Shrubby Cinquefoil remains a perennial, with the ability to survive winter dormancy and regrow from its woody base each season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is often propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is typically performed in the late summer. A semi-hardwood cutting is prepared by selecting a current season's growth that has begun to mature and stiffen but is not yet fully hard. The cutting, usually about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length, should have several leaf nodes and is dipped in rooting hormone before being planted in a well-draining rooting medium. The cutting is then kept under appropriate humidity and light conditions until roots have developed, which can take several weeks. Once rooted, it can be transplanted to a more permanent location in the garden.
