Nepal Cinquefoil (Potentilla Nepalensis) - Start Cinquefoil seeds to grow this charming, drought tolerant perennial that is perfect for the cottage garden setting, flower borders or containers. Nepal Cinquefoil is a bright bloomer for long periods of time with its rosy-pink blooms and strawberry-like leaves.

Cinquefoil seed |

How to grow

How To Grow Cinquefoil From Seed: Many gardeners start Cinquefoil seeds in the spring in a cold frame outdoors. Press the flower seeds into the soil but do not cover them.

Perennial Cinquefoil likes a position in full sun to partial shade, and it prefers rich, evenly moist soil that drains well. Cinquefoil plants usually take a second growing season, after being sown from flower seeds, to produces blooms.

• Sowing Rate: 2 - 4 seeds per plant
• Average Germ Time: 14 - 28 days
• Keep moist until germination
• Attracts bees and butterflies
• Depth: Do not cover, but tightly press seeds into soil

Flower Specifications

Once it's established from Cinquefoil seeds, it's a carefree beauty that will offer a lovely color and addition to the garden. Trim the Cinquefoil blooms back when they are done to keep the plant tidy. Nepal Cinquefoil is considered to be an easy, low-maintenance plant.

• Height: 24 inches
• USDA Zones: 5 - 8
• Season: Perennial
• Deer Resistant: Yes
• Drought Tolerant: Yes

Woolly Cinquefoil (Potentilla fragiformis Gold Sovereign) - Smaller perennial with very hairy ornamental leaves and large golden flowers in late Spring through July. Forms groundcovering mounds, about 12 - 16 inches tall and wide, with 1.5 inch flowers above the foliage. Usually only blooms for about 4 - 5 weeks; however, the leaves stay pretty for the whole season.  You may even want to cut back after blooming for fresh foliage. Full sun is the best; however, it will do fine in partial shade as well. Once established the plants do not need much water and they prefer well-drained soils (average, sandy, rocky, gritty soils of any pH).  In hot climates Woolly Cinquefoil appreciates some afternoon shade or half shade. Attracts honeybees and potentially other small pollinators as well, but not deer and rabbits.

Himalayan Cinquefoil (Potentilla atrosanguinea Orange Starlit) - This low mainteance perennial boasts ground covering clumps that are wide and dense. It is best known for its long blooming season and ease of care. The silvery, strawberry-like leaves are covered in short soft hairs. One inch wide blooms, which are yellow-orange with red centers, appear for nearly the entire summer.  After flowering, remove flower stems at ground level. Will attract butterflies and other pollinators, but not the deer!

This perennial performs best in as a groundcover in full sun to partial shade. Perfect for rock gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens, informal gardens, sunny edges/borders, and in wildflower meadows. Prefers well-drained soils and will not succeed in heavy, wet soils. Cinquefoil is an excellent choice for beds and borders, cottage gardens, and rock gardens.

Nepal Cinquefoil (Potentilla nepalensis Melton Fire) - Sprays of charming, multi-coloured, red-eyed, pink (salmon) and light yellow flowers open on sprawling stems in late Spring and Summer. A wonderful garden flower plant, this long-lived perennial reaches a mature height of 18 inches. Grows best in full sun and well drained soil. Deer and rabbits tend to avoid cinquefoil plant. Low to moderate water needs once established.