Potentilla is an herbaceous clump forming perennial with small, dark-green leaves.
The flowers appear from June to October and come in various colours e.g. red, white and the most common, yellow.
Depending upon variety this deciduous shrub will reach a height of 900mm (36").
Ensure they don't dry out in dry weather.
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Deadhead after flowering.
No regular pruning is needed however the shrubs can be kept neat, tidy and vigorous by cutting back any weak or old stems to ground level.
Cultivation;
Week 10; Sow seeds in trays / pots of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 18°- 21°C (65°-70°F)
Alternatively; sow around Week 25
Germination should take about a week
Note; Seedlings of hybrids and named varieties seldom come true to type.
Week 13; Apply an annual mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to established plants.
Week 14 / 31; When the seedlings are large enough to handle prick them out into 75mm (3") pots and grow on in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 18; Take 75mm (3") long basal cuttings, insert in equal parts (by volume) peat and river sand and place them in a cold frame to root.
When rooted prick them out into 75mm (3") pots and grow on in a cold frame until planting out time.
Week 22; Pot up rooted heel cuttings taken the previous September, into 100mm (4") pots of potting compost, and grow on in the coldframe until planting out time.
Note; It may be advantageous to grow the plant on for a further year in pots, prior to planting them out in the border.
Week 35; As an alternative to basal cuttings, take 75mm (3") heel cuttings from half-ripe lateral shoots.
Insert the cuttings into pots of equal parts (by volume) peat and river sand and place in a cold frame to root.
Week 40; Plant out during suitable weather from now until March, in ordinary, well-drained garden soil and in full sun.
Do not crowd plants!
Allow ample space for air circulation to deter mildew.
Note; they will tolerate partial shade, but flowering is generally then less prolific.
Divide and replant established plants to increase stock.
