Potentilla megalantha

RHS Plant Profile

large-flowered cinquefoil

Dorling Kindersley 2003

Synonyms

Potentilla fragariiformis

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial

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A clump-forming perennial to 25cm in height, with leaves divided into three elliptic leaflets and small clusters of bright yellow flowers 3-4cm across in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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
Plant Range: Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor, gritty, sharply drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Propagate by division in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Rock garden
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus