Potentilla (Cinquefoil)

Potentilla, commonly known as cinquefoil, is a tough, old-world perennial that earns its keep without fuss. Forming a low, spreading mat of finely cut green foliage, it comes alive in spring with a generous showing of bright, five-petaled flowers held close to the ground. The effect is cheerful but never gaudy—more meadow than showroom.

Long valued in cottage gardens, rock gardens, and along sunny borders, potentilla thrives where many plants give up. It tolerates heat, poor soil, and periods of drought once established, making it an honest choice for gardeners who prefer plants that work for a living. Use it as a groundcover on slopes, along paths, or tucked into stonework, where it will settle in quietly and return year after year with dependable bloom and minimal care.