Potentilla palustris

RHS Plant Profile
marsh cinquefoil

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marsh cinquefoil RHS

Other common names

bog strawberry, cowberry, meadow nut, purple marsh locks, purple marshwort, purplewort, pumdalen y gors

Synonyms

Comarum palustre

Plants for pollinators
Bogs
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A rhizomatous, woody-based perennial to 50cm in height, with lax, upright stems and grey-green leaves with five to seven leaflets. Loose clusters of deep red flowers with large, red-flushed sepals, appear in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
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
Yes
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
Temp. N. Hemisphere

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in permanently wet, alkaline or neutral soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division, in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus