Potentilla atrosanguinea

Potentilla atrosanguinea (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 60cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Rosaceae

Potentilla atrosanguinea is a deciduous perennial with a clump forming habit. Its dark green leaves are three lobed with dentate margins, up to 10cm long and 15cm across. Its dark red flowers are up to 20cm across and appear on erect stems in open sprays.

Potentilla atrosanguinea Flower (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Potentilla atrosanguinea, commonly known as Himalayan Cinquefoil, Ruby Cinquefoil or Dark Crimson Cinquefoil, is native to the Himalaya region. In its native habitat it grows on mountain slopes at lower elevations.

The etymological root of the binomial name Potentilla is derived from the Latin potens meaning ‘potent’. Atrosanguinea is derived from the Latin epithet atro meaning ‘better’ and sanguinea meaning ‘blood red’, referring to the colour of the flowers.

Potentilla atrosanguinea Leaf (02/07/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The landscape architect may find  Potentilla atrosanguinea useful as part of a mixed herbaceous planting scheme, with attractive summer flowers. Once established this perennial is drought tollerant.

Ecologically, Potentilla atrosanguinea flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Potentilla atrosanguinea prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. This plant dislikes wet soils.

Potentilla atrosanguinea requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in autumn or spring.



Landscape Architecture

Rosa sericea

Rosa sericea (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Rosaceae

Rosa sericea Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Rosa sericea is a deciduous shrub with an upright arching habit. Its mid green leaves are are odd pinnate, up to 8cm long with up to 11 leaflets. Its leaflets are ovate with serrate margins, up to 2cm long and 8mm across. Its stems or canes are very thorny. Its pink flowers are single, contain four petals, are up to 5cm across, have a white centre with yellow stamen. Its red fruit is a hip which are up to 15mm across.

Rosa sericea, commonly known as Silky Rose, is native to southwest China, north India and Burma. In its native habitat it grows in mountainous regions at an altitude of between 2,000m and 4,000m at forest margins and open woodlands.

Rosa sericea Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Rosa is from the ancient Latin name for the rose. Sericea is derived from the Latin serica meaning ‘silken’.

The landscape architect may find Rosa sericea useful as an effective informal barrier hedge.

Ecologically, Rosa sericea flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its hips are attractive to birds during the winter months.

Rosa sericea Stem (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Rosa sericea  prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It dislikes wet soils.

Rosa sericea requires little maintenance. Pruning should be carried out once flowering is complete. Obviously if pruning is carried out after flowering no hips will follow.



Landscape Architecture

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Soil: Moist, well drained

Flowering period: Spring and summer

Eventual Height: 75cm

Eventual Spread: 1.2m

Hardiness: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Rosaceae

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ is a deciduous shrub with a bushy habit. Its dark green pubescent leaves are pinnate with entire margins, usually composed of five leaflets. Its white flowers are saucer shaped, up to 4cm across and appear terminally. Its fruit is an achene.

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The species, Potentilla fruticosa, commonly known as the Shrubby Cinquefoil, is native to temperate regions in Asia and most of Europe including the UK. Potentilla fruticosa is synonymous with Dasiphora fruticosa.

The etymological root of the binomial name Potentilla is derived from the Latin potens meaning ‘potent’. Fruticosa is from the Latin meaning ‘bushy’.

The landscape architect may find Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ useful as a free flowering, low growing shrub. It may be used as an informal hedge and may be specified when dealing with troublesome, hard to maintain areas such as slopes and banks. It is tolerant of maritime regions and once established is drought tolerant.

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects, including bees and butterflies.

The royal horticultural society has given Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Potentilla fruticosa ‘Abbotswood’ requires little to no maintenance. Necessary pruning should be carried out from mid to late spring.



Landscape Architecture