Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland'
ABOUT
The Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland', commonly known as the Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Groneland', is a deciduous shrub that is widely admired for its ornamental qualities. This plant is characterized by a dense, bushy habit, with numerous branches creating a lush, full appearance. The foliage consists of small, pinnate leaves that are a rich green color and possess a fine texture, providing a lovely backdrop for the flowers. The blooms of the Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Groneland' are one of its most striking features. They emerge in abundance, presenting a radiant display of flowers throughout the summer and sometimes into the fall. Each flower is formed of five petals, arranged in a simple yet elegant cup shape. These petals have a soft, buttery yellow hue that adds a bright splash of color to any garden space. The flowers not only lend a cheerful aesthetic but also attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which adds to the dynamic nature of the plant in the landscape. Overall, the Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Groneland' is a versatile and attractive addition to garden settings, offering a long season of visual interest with its lovely flowers and pleasing foliage.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Shrubby Cinquefoil, Greenland Shrubby Cinquefoil, Bush Cinquefoil, Potentilla
Common names
Dasiphora fruticosa, Pentaphylloides fruticosa, Potentilla fruticosa.
ToxicityTo humans
Shrubby cinquefoil is generally considered non-toxic to humans. There are no commonly reported symptoms of poisoning from ingesting this plant, and it is not known to pose any significant health risks if consumed in typical amounts found in a garden setting.
To pets
Shrubby cinquefoil is also generally considered non-toxic to pets. It is not known to have any poisonous effects on animals, and there are no commonly reported symptoms of poisoning from ingestion. This makes it a safe plant to have in gardens frequented 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
Northern Hemisphere
Benefits
General Benefits- Easy to Grow: Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland' is known for being hardy and low maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, which can be beneficial in areas with water restrictions or less frequent rainfall.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, which can help to promote biodiversity in your garden.
- Long Blooming Season: With a flowering period that spans from early summer through to the fall, it provides extended visual interest.
- Deer Resistant: This plant is generally not preferred by deer, which makes it a good choice for gardens in areas where deer are a problem.
- Versatility in Landscaping: It can be used for a variety of landscaping purposes, including as a ground cover, in rock gardens, or as part of a mixed border.
- Winter Interest: Though deciduous, the shrub has an appealing form in the winter, with fine-textured stems adding to the garden's winter landscape.
Medical Properties- Anti-inflammatory: Potentilla fruticosa, commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation.
- Astringent: The plant has been used for its astringent properties to tighten tissues and reduce secretions.
- Antiseptic: It has been applied to wounds to help prevent infection due to its antiseptic qualities.
- Diarrhea: The astringent effect may be beneficial in treating diarrhea by reducing intestinal inflammation and secretion.
- Gargle for sore throat: As an astringent and antiseptic, it is sometimes used as a gargle for sore throats.
- Febrifuge: It has been traditionally used to reduce fever, though the efficacy of this use is not well documented.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Backdrop: Shrubby Cinquefoil's dense, green foliage and bright yellow flowers make it a beautiful background plant for photographing other garden features or wildlife.
- Crafts: The small, five-petaled flowers and flexible stems can be used in floral crafts, such as making natural wreaths or adding to a rustic bouquet.
- Soil Erosion Control: Shrubby Cinquefoil can be planted on slopes or areas prone to erosion due to its hardy nature and extensive root system that helps stabilize soil.
- Livestock Forage: While not a primary forage plant, Shrubby Cinquefoil can provide grazing for animals in pastures, particularly in times of forage scarcity.
- Dye Production: Historically, the tannins from Shrubby Cinquefoil were used in the process of leather tanning, and the plant can also produce yellow dyes.
- Drawing and Painting Inspiration: Artists may use the intricate structure of Shrubby Cinquefoil's flowers and leaves as subjects for drawing or watercolor painting.
- Educational Tool: Shrubby Cinquefoil is an excellent species for teaching plant identification and botanical characteristics in educational settings.
- Garden Borders: Its compact growth habit makes it an ideal choice for defining the edges of garden beds or paths.
- Habitat Restoration: The plant can be used in wildland restoration projects to help reestablish native plant communities.
- Seasonal Decoration: Branches of Shrubby Cinquefoil can be harvested in the fall when they have acquired autumn colors to create natural decorations for the home.
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- Resilience: Potentilla fruticosa 'Goldfinger', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is known for its hardiness and ability to withstand tough environmental conditions, symbolizing resilience and endurance.
- Protection: Historically, some species in the Potentilla genus were believed to have medicinal properties, offering protective benefits, hence it can symbolize safety and shelter.
- Attraction: With its bright yellow flowers, Shrubby Cinquefoil attracts a variety of pollinators, representing attraction and the power to draw in positivity.
- Longevity: As a plant that can live for many years and continually bloom each season, Shrubby Cinquefoil symbolizes longevity and the cycle of life.
- Simplicity: Its modest yet cheerful appearance can symbolize simplicity and finding joy in the basic essence of life.
WaterShrubby Cinquefoil, or Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland', should be watered thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically means watering once a week. It is essential to avoid overwatering, as the plant does not like to sit in waterlogged soil. Depending on the weather conditions, more frequent watering may be necessary during hot, dry spells. Generally, aim to provide about one gallon of water per plant for each watering session, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the root zone. During the winter months, reduce watering frequency as the plant's water requirements decrease.
LightShrubby Cinquefoil thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, which promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering. Placing it in a bright spot without too much shade will help ensure optimal growth, but it can also tolerate light afternoon shade, especially in hot climates.
TemperatureShrubby Cinquefoil can handle a wide range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7. It can survive temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit and is known for its cold-hardiness. While it can withstand heat, extreme temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit might stress the plant. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningShrubby Cinquefoil should be pruned to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. You can prune up to one-third of the plant's size to keep it compact and to remove any dead or damaged branches. It's also beneficial to prune after flowering to encourage a second bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilShrubby Cinquefoil thrives in a well-drained, loamy soil with added organic matter. The ideal pH range for this plant is between 6.0 and 7.5. To create the best soil mix, combine garden loam, peat moss or compost, and coarse sand in equal parts to ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingShrubby Cinquefoil, being a hardy shrub, does not typically require frequent repotting. It should be planted in the ground where it can grow undisturbed. If it is grown in a container, repotting may be done every few years to refresh the soil or if the plant outgrows its current container.
Humidity & MistingShrubby Cinquefoil is adaptable to various humidity conditions and prefers an outdoor environment. It does well in average garden conditions without the need for specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, well-drained soil; not ideal for indoor growth.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; hardy and low maintenance.
Hardiness zone
2-7 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil 'Goldfinger', begins with seed germination, which occurs in a well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade exposure. The seedling then develops into a young plant with compound leaves and a robust root system. As it matures, the shrub enters a vegetative growth phase, producing dense, woody stems and a rounded habit. It reaches reproductive maturity within a few years and starts to bloom in early summer, displaying bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators and can continue blooming into the fall. After pollination, it produces small, inedible fruits that contain seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. In later years, the plant may experience senescence, leading to reduced vigour and eventually death, but it can live for many years before this stage is reached.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Propogation: Potentilla fruticosa 'Groneland', commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is often propagated through softwood cuttings. This method is particularly popular during the late spring to early summer when the plant’s new growth is just beginning to harden, yet still is flexible. To propagate by cuttings, one would typically cut a 4 to 6 inch (about 10 to 15 centimeters) length of stem, strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The treated end is then planted into a mix of peat and perlite or a similar well-draining rooting medium and kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots have developed, which can take several weeks. Once the plants have rooted and show signs of growth, they can be transplanted into individual pots or directly into the garden.
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