Potentilla fruticosa Medicine Wheel Mountain - Shrubby Cinquefoil

Potentilla fruticosa 'Medicine Wheel Mountain' is a low and spreading shrub with a long flowering period. From late spring to early autumn, it is adorned with beautiful golden-yellow flowers, which are enhanced by its olive green foliage. With medium growth, it forms a low, spreading bush that is twice as wide as it is tall. Easy to grow, very hardy, and requiring little maintenance, this shrub suits borders, slopes, or a container on a patio. It is a highly rewarding plant which is very hardy, adaptable to most well-drained soils and can be positioned in full sun or partial shade, .

Potentilla fruticosa is a woody shrub that belongs to the large and important Rosaceae family, which provides us with so many ornamental species (Roses, of course, but also Photinia, Cotoneaster, Amelanchier...) as well as most of our temperate climate fruit trees (Pear, Apple, Cherry, Peach, Apricot, Plum...). The Potentilla genus includes two main groups, herbaceous plants like the spring Potentilla found in our fields and shrubby species, to which 'Medicine Wheel Mountain' belongs.
This variety is characterised by its ground-covering habit, much wider than it is tall. In 5 to 10 years, it forms a bush that is 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) tall and 80 cm (32in) wide, or even wider. Like many other shrubby Potentillas, it also offers a long-lasting flowering period, starting in June, sometimes even in May, and lasting until September, or even October. This makes it a valuable plant in the garden, especially since it is very easy to grow, satisfying even novice gardeners. Its pretty single flowers with 5 petals are quite large and a bright golden-yellow colour, creating a bright spot in the garden which will be appreciated on cloudy and dark days. Its deciduous foliage is olive green and forms a perfect backdrop for its flowers. This variety has received the "Award of Garden Merit" by the famous RHS, Royal Horticulture Society in the United Kingdom.

In full sun, potentillas will deliver flowers with a more pronounced colour, while in partial shade the colour will be slightly less intense. Easy to grow, floriferous, and beautifully coloured, potentillas are ideal for brightening up the garden or balcony. With their Scottish rose-like appearance and their very modest requirements, they can be used in multiple ways and installed anywhere: in flower beds, rockeries, borders, low hedges, containers...under most climates and in any well-drained soil. 

Potentilla 'Medicine Wheel Mountain' is a good companion for the generous spring spiraeas, such as Thunberg Spirea with its countless small white flowers from March onwards, as well as for the summer Spiraeas, like the famous Goldflame Japanese Spirea which combines decorative foliage with changing colours and a beautiful pink flowering, creating a multicoloured scene with our little potentilla. Deutzias are also good companions, as easy to grow as Weigelas or Philadelphus with their fragrant flowering. To accompany 'Medicine Wheel Mountain' during the summer, opt for the charming Abelias with their small white or pink flowers and the Buddleias with their long flowering clusters that attract butterflies.