| Description | Goldfinger Potentilla (Potentilla fruiticosa) is a compact yellow Potentilla cultivar with large flowers. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (po-ten-TIL-a)(fro-ti-KO-sa) |
| Plant Type | Shrubs Deciduous, Site author's observations |
| Hardiness Zone | 2-7 |
| Sunlight | Best in full sun, will tolerate some shade, but flower production is reduced. |
| Moisture | Average-tolerates moist (not wet) areas, will show stress in drought conditions, and benefits from some additional water at these times |
| Soil & Site | average |
| Temperature | Grows best in cooler climates. |
| Flowers | Has large 1.5-inch yellow flowers produced in abundance throughout the summer. |
| Fruit | achene |
| Leaves | In the spring, the leaves are silky gray-green, changing to dark green; no ornamental fall color. |
| Stems | The new stems are reddish to purplish brown with fine hairs. In the second year, the stems are brown and smooth. |
| Dimensions | 2-3 by 2-3 feet or a little larger (HS), a fast-growing shrub. |
| Maintenance | All Potentilla plants should be pruned back yearly or every other year, ideally no more than a three-year cycle. If they aren't pruned, they can become scraggly, develop many old, gnarly stems, and experience reduced flower production. There are two good methods for pruning these plants: Method #1 involves cutting the shrub back to the ground, leaving 3-6 inches of stem. Seems harsh, but a healthy shrub will quickly regrow. Method #2 consists of removing the gnarly old stems as close to the ground as possible with pruning shears, and cutting the shrub back by about 1/3-1/2. I do this in a shape that resembles the shrub's natural form. The earlier in the spring this is done, the sooner the plant will flower. One of my clients has me prune these shrubs back each year, since she likes the fresh new growth. After it is done blooming, many people like to remove the dried seed heads. This is a matter of choice. I usually do it. |
| Propagation | softwood cuttings |
| Cultivar Origin | It originated in 1970 in Gorssel, Netherlands, where it was bred by Dutch nurseryman H. Knol. |
| Author's Notes | I have used many dozens of this Potentilla in landscapes with little or no problems. It is my "go to" yellow Potentilla. |
| Notes & Reference | #01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr), #274-Site Authors' observations and growing experiences of different shrubby Potentillas |
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