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 partial shade. All-summer bloomer; tolerates clay better than most xeric shrubs.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Online from $38.99 at 1 retailerPhotos
Plan your garden
Not sure what to plant? The finder matches Front Range trees, shrubs, perennials, and groundcover to your soil, water, sun, and zone.
Ready to plant this?
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
- Planting spacing
- ~4 ft apart (3 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow, white, pink
- Bloom time
- early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- montane, foothills
Common problems on the Front Range
No major pest or disease problems are commonly reported for this plant on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for the usual stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
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 a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Shrubby cinquefoil get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Shrubby cinquefoil?
- Space Shrubby cinquefoil about 4 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 3 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil hardy on the Front Range?
- Shrubby cinquefoil is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Shrubby cinquefoil need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Shrubby cinquefoil grow?
- Shrubby cinquefoil is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil deer-resistant?
- Shrubby cinquefoil is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil a good firewise plant near the house?
- Shrubby cinquefoil is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Shrubby cinquefoil prone to pests or disease on the Front Range?
- Shrubby cinquefoil has no major pest or disease problems commonly reported on the Front Range. Keep it well sited and watered, and watch for stress-driven issues in drought or heat.
- How long does Shrubby cinquefoil bloom?
- Shrubby cinquefoil blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
