Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa)

Shrubby Cinquefoil

(Dasiphora fruticosa)

Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa)

Opioła Jerzy (Poland)

CC BY 2.5

Image By: Opioła Jerzy (Poland)

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Dasiphora fruticosa, commonly known as Shrubby Cinquefoil, is a deciduous shrub native to a wide range of habitats including cool temperate regions, subarctic areas, and alpine zones across North America, Europe, and Asia. It is particularly adapted to rocky and sandy soils, often found in open woodlands, tundra, and along wetland edges. This plant typically grows to 0.1–1 m (3.9–39.4 in) tall, and rarely up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height. The foliage is dense and pubescent, with leaves and young stems covered in fine silky, silvery hairs about 1 mm long. The flowers are buttercup-shaped, 2–3 cm (0.8–1.2 in) across, with five petals and 15–25 stamens. Petal colors range from pale to bright yellow, with some western Chinese populations exhibiting orange to reddish hues. The flowering season extends from early to late summer, and the blooms are quite showy.

Shrubby Cinquefoil is valued for its long blooming period, low maintenance, and adaptability to harsh conditions, making it an excellent choice for urban landscaping, border planting, and ground cover. Its small leaves, delicate flowers, and orange to brown flaky bark also make it suitable for Bonsai, especially popular in Japan and Europe. It thrives in full sun, requires low amounts of water, and prefers soils with fast drainage. While it is a hardy plant, it can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils. It is not known for aggressive roots or significant disease problems, but powdery mildew can occasionally affect the foliage. There are many cultivars available, offering a variety of flower colors from white to pink, in addition to the typical yellow.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrubs
Height: 1-4 feet
Width: 2-5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Yellow
Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium, High
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to a wide range of habitats including cool temperate regions, subarctic areas, alpine zones, open woodlands, tundra, and wetland edges

Other Names

Common Names: Shrubby Five-Finger , Widdy , Kuril Tea , Buckbrush , Bush Cinquefoil , Golden Hardhack , Strauch-Fingerkraut , Potentille Arbustive , Potentille Frutescente , Blekgul Tok

Scientific Names: Dasiphora fruticosa , Dasiphora fruticosa subsp. floribunda , Dasiphora floribunda , Pentaphylloides floribunda , Potentilla fruiticosa , Dasiphora glabra , Pentaphylloides fruticosa , Potentilla floribunda , Potentilla fruticosa subsp. floribunda , Potentilla fruticosa var. leucantha

GBIF Accepted Name: Dasiphora fruticosa (L.) Rydb.