Sulphur Cinquefoil
Potentilla recta
Also listed as Fragaria recta, Hypargyrium rectum
Also known as Sulfur Cinquefoil, Tall Cinquefoil, Rough-fruited Cinquefoil
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A upright perennial with bright yellow five-petaled flowers and divided silvery-green foliage. Highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Sulphur cinquefoil offers reliable summer color and extended bloom compared to many native cinquefoils, with flowers that persist from early summer through fall. Its finely divided foliage provides fine texture to mixed perennial borders and rock gardens, and it tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils where many ornamentals struggle. As a low-growing, spreading ground cover, it can anchor dry banks or fill gaps in areas with competing root systems.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds readily and may volunteer in adjacent beds or containers, so deadheading spent flowers helps manage spread if that is a concern. In high-moisture climates or during wet growing seasons, the foliage is prone to powdery mildew, though this is cosmetic rather than lethal; ensuring good air circulation reduces incidence.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A upright perennial with bright yellow five-petaled flowers and divided silvery-green foliage. Highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sulphur Cinquefoil grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Sulphur cinquefoil offers reliable summer color and extended bloom compared to many native cinquefoils, with flowers that persist from early summer through fall. Its finely divided foliage provides fine texture to mixed perennial borders and rock gardens, and it tolerates poor, sandy, or gravelly soils where many ornamentals struggle. As a low-growing, spreading ground cover, it can anchor dry banks or fill gaps in areas with competing root systems.
Watch out for
This plant self-seeds readily and may volunteer in adjacent beds or containers, so deadheading spent flowers helps manage spread if that is a concern. In high-moisture climates or during wet growing seasons, the foliage is prone to powdery mildew, though this is cosmetic rather than lethal; ensuring good air circulation reduces incidence.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Europe and western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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