Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Potentilla fruiticosa Farreri

Common Name: Gold Drop Potentilla

Description

Gold Drop Potentilla is a small heirloom plant with small yellow flowers.

Pronunciation(po-ten-TIL-a)(fro-ti-KO-sa)
Plant TypeAll Plants, Shrubs Deciduous
Hardiness Zone3-7
Sunlightfull, will tolerate some shade but flower production is reduced.
Moistureaverage, tolerates moist (not wet) areas, will show stress in drought conditions and benefits from some additional water at these times
Soil & Siteaverage
Flowers3/4-1 inch diameter yellow flowers
Leavesalternate, pinnately compound leaves, green
Dimensions2-3 by 2-3 feet
MaintenanceAll of the Potentilla need to be pruned back on a yearly or every other year, to no longer than a 3 year cycle. If not, they will become scraggly, have lots of old gnarly stems and flower production will decrease. There are three methods of pruning these. Method #1 consists of using a hedge shears and shear the plant into some miss shaped geometric figure. This is the least desirable, doesn't help the plant much and does little for increasing flower production. Method #2 consists of cutting the shrub close to the ground, leaving 3-6 inches of stem. Seems harsh but a healthy shrub will quickly regrow. This is a no brainer method. Methods #3 consists of removing the gnarly old stems as close to the ground as possible, using pruning shears, cut the shrub back about 1/3 - 1/2. I do this in a shape that will resemble the natural form of the shrub. The earlier in the spring this is done, the sooner the plant will flower. One of my clients has me prune back these shrubs each year, since she likes the fresh, new growth of the shrub. After it is done blooming many people like to remove the dried seed heads. This is a matter of choice. I usually do it
Propagationsoftwood cuttings
Misc FactsCollected by Reginald Ferrer in 1920 in Tibet. Was given the trade name "Gold Drop" when being introduced in America. AKA: Potentilla Farreri
Author's NotesI started in the green plant industry in the mid 1970's. At that time Gold Drop was one of the stock Potentilla being used in the landscapes. It seems to have been superseded by many other new and improved cultivars.
Notes & Reference#01-Manual of Woody Landscape Plants (Michael Dirr), #226-Shrubs and Vines for American Gardens (Donald Wyman)
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