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Herbaceous Perennial

Potentilla argentea
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

silvery cinquefoil

P. argentea is a perennial with fine, upright or sprawling, branched stems to about 30cm. The palmate leaves have five narrow leaflets, and are felted white underneath. In late spring and summer it produces open sprays of small, sulphur-yellow flowers with five petals

Other common names
hoary cinquefoil
Synonyms
Potentilla demissa
Potentilla tenuiloba
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow Green White
Summer Yellow Green White
Autumn Green White
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Rosaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Potentilla can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs, or annuals, with palmately or pinnately divided leaves and solitary or clustered, saucer-shaped, 5-petalled flowers appearing over a long period

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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