How to plant and grow potentilla

Potentillas thrive in a wide range of soils and tolerate poor conditions, although perform best in soil that's moderately fertile and free draining. Marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris) is a moisture-loving species to grow in ponds or bog gardens.

In size, shrubby potentilla grows to around 1.2m high and wide, and herbaceous perennials to 60cm high and wide, depending on variety. Flowers come in a range of colours, including red, yellow, pink and orange, along with softer colours of white and cream. Potentillas make excellent wildlife plants as the nectar-rich blooms attract pollinating insects.

How to grow potentilla

Grow potentillas in moist but free-draining soil in in full sun or partial shade. Mulch annually with leaf mould, homemade compost or well-rotted manure. Shrubby potentillas require no regular pruning but perennial potentillas benefit from a tidy-up in autumn or winter.

Where to grow potentilla

The best place to grow potentillas is in garden borders with moist but free-draining soil, in full sun or partial shade. Plant potentillas singly or in small groups.

Shrubby potentillas also make a good low hedge. Bear in mind, however, that shrubby potentillas are deciduous and can therefore look bare and twiggy in winter, so it's best to avoid planting them in front of a window or next to a path, where you will see them regularly.

How to plant potentilla

Potentillas are hardy and best planted in autumn, in mild spells in winter, or in early spring. If planting during the growing season, water them regularly until autumn.

Plant with the top of the rootball at the same depth as the soil level. Firm in and water well to settle the soil around the roots.

How to care for potentilla

Once established, potentillas need little care. As with all border plants, mulching annually with well-rotted organic matter, in winter or early spring, is beneficial but not essential.

There’s no need to deadhead shrubby potentillas as the blooms are small. With perennial species, removing the faded flower stems keeps plants tidy.

As with many perennial plants, flowering of herbaceous perennial potentillas declines on older plants as the clumps become congested. Rejuvenate them by lifting, dividing and replanting in autumn.

How to prune potentilla

Shrubby potentillas need no regular pruning although trim back, if needed, in early spring. On older plants, thin out congested stems to rejuvenate and encourage new growth.

Once growth of perennial potentillas dies back in autumn, remove by cutting back to ground level.

How to propagate potentilla

Propagate shrubby potentillas by taking softwood cuttings of young, non-flowering shoots, in summer. Propagate perennial potentillas by dividing established clumps, in autumn or early spring.

Pests and diseases

Potentillas are usually free of pests and diseases, although if conditions aren't ideal - for example, too shady, too humid and little air circulation - it may suffer from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mildew, rust or leaf spot. Poor drainage can result in root rot. Pests such as aphids or spider mites may make an appearance.

Potentilla varieties to grow

Shrubby potentillas

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Katherine Dykes’ – soft primrose-yellow flowers are borne in profusion on a bush that is slightly taller than wide. Height x Spread: 1.2m x 1m

• Buy Potentilla fruticosa ‘Katherine Dykes’ from Thompson & Morgan

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Pink Beauty’ – masses of soft-pink flowers smother this mounded shrub throughout summer. H x S: 1m x 1m

• Buy Potentilla fruticosa ‘Pink Beauty’ from Crocus

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Red Ace’ – the flowers are an unusual orange-red shade on opening, fading to orange. Grow in partial shade for the most intense colour as blooms fade in full sun. H x S: 1m x 1m

• Buy Potentilla fruticosa ‘Red Ace’ from Thompson & Morgan

Perennial potentillas

Potentilla palustris – this moisture-loving species thrives in the shallow margins of a pond or in bog gardens. Maroon-purple flowers in late spring and early summer, on low-growing, spreading plants. H x S: 15cm x 30cm

• Buy Potentilla palustris from Water Garden Plants

Potentilla tonguei – this low-growing and spreading potentilla makes excellent ground cover for the fronts of borders or rock gardens. Bears orange blooms with red centres from spring into summer. H x S: 15cm x 60cm

• Buy Potentilla tonguei from Crocus

Potentilla thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’ – rich-red blooms are borne throughout summer on slender stems above clumps of fresh, green, strawberry-like foliage. H x S: 40cm x 40cm

• Buy Potentilla thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’ from Beth Chatto's Garden