Shrubby cinquefoil
Potentilla fruticosa
Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to part. All-summer bloomer; tolerates clay better than most xeric shrubs.
Colorado nativelow to medium water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Potentilla fruticosa
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Goldfinger', 'Abbotswood', 'Pink Beauty'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- full sun to part
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- yellow, white, pink
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer. Tolerates clay, sand, and a wide pH range — easy.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Shrubby cinquefoil is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Shrubby cinquefoil get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How much water does Shrubby cinquefoil need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
