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Close-up of the yellow flower of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa, formerly/aka Potentilla fruticosa). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Macro shot of yellow flower of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa, formerly/aka Potentilla fruticosa) with an insect. One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Flowering vegetation of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa, formerly/aka Potentilla fruticosa). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A flowering shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa, formerly/aka Potentilla fruticosa) in its native habitat. One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A flowering shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa, formerly/aka Potentilla fruticosa) in its native habitat. One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa (formerly Potentilla fruticosa)

Shrubby cinquefoil is a deciduous, medium-sized member of the rose family that becomes profuse with cheerful, long-lasting yellow flowers in the summertime. The shrub is densely leafy, and all foliage is covered in fine silvery hairs giving the plant a distinct, almost blueish hue.  

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, med shrub
  • Size at maturity: 2-5’ tall, equally wide
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade
  • Moisture requirements: moist soil
  • Bloom time: June - August
  • Growth rate/ease: medium to slow growth rate, easy to grow 
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar for adult butterflies, bees and insect pollinators; overall plant is host and larval food source for several species of native moths
  • Native habitat/range: in the Pacific Northwest, it is found in meadows, swamps and rocky areas in subalpine, Alpine and high desert areas of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California (it is also found outside the PNW in other subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere). Portland Plant List - no. 
  • Special features & uses: landscape uses include rock gardens, pollinator gardens and sunny raingardens; drought tolerant   

Gardening with Shrubby Cinquefoil: Though this shrub is not historically native to our area, it is one well-worth considering as our climate becomes hotter and drier. It will do best in full to partially sunny rocky areas with moist soils. However, though it thrives in moisture-retentive soils, it isn’t particularly fussy about soil type (clay, loam, sand, etc) and ultimately tolerates seasonal drought quite well. It works excellently as a bright background to a sunny raingarden, as a border planting, or in a flowering habitat hedgerow. Similar to other closely related species, it ignores conventional pruning and the best way to rejuvenate them is to cut back old dying stems all the way to the ground.

Photo Credit 1: "shrubby cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosa" by Paul and Jill is licensed under CC BY 2.0. 

Photo Credit 2: "File:13179cr potentilla fruticosa m Syrphidae sp..jpg" by Olve Utne is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5. 

Photo Credit 3: "bush cinquefoil, Dasiphora fruticosa" by Jim Morefield is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Photo Credit 4: "Dasiphora (Potentilla) fruticosa" by Matt Lavin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Photo Credit 5: "Bush cinquefoil, Dasiphora fruticosa (25170319891)" by Jim Morefield from Nevada, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.