Potentilla
Common name: Cinquefoil
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Oveview:
Potentilla is an herbaceous clump forming perennial with small, dark-green leaves.
The flowers appear from June to October and come in various colours e.g. Red, White and the most common, Yellow.
Depending upon variety this deciduous shrub will reach a height of 900mm (36").
Deadhead after flowering, and ensure they don't dry out in dry weather.
No regular pruning is needed however the shrubs can be kept neat, tidy and vigorous by cutting back any weak or old stems to ground level.
Cultivation:
Week 10:
Sow seeds in trays / pots of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 18°- 21°C (65°-70°F)
Alternatively sow around Week 25
Germination should take about a week
Seedlings of hybrids and named varieties seldom come true to type.
Week 13:
Apply an annual mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to established plants.
Week 14 / 31:
When the seedlings are large enough to handle prick them out into 75mm (3") pots and grow on in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 18:
Take 75mm (3") long basal cuttings, insert in equal parts (by volume) peat and river sand and place them in a cold frame to root.
When rooted prick them out into 75mm (3") pots and grow on in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 22:
Pot up rooted heel cuttings taken the previous September, into 100mm (4") pots of potting compost, and grow on in the coldframe until planting out time.
It can be advantageous to grow the plant on for a further year in pots, prior to planting them out in the border.
Week 35:
As an alternative to basal cuttings, take 75mm (3") heel cuttings from half-ripe lateral shoots.
Insert the cuttings into pots of equal parts (by volume) peat and river sand and place in a cold frame to root.
Week 40:
Plant out during suitable weather from now until March, in ordinary, well-drained garden soil and in full sun.
Do not crowd plants,allow ample space for air circulation to deter mildew.
Plants will tolerate partial shade, but flowering is generally then less prolific.
Divide and replant established plants to increase stock.