Dasiphora fruticosa, Potentilla fruticosa

This small shrub typically grows to a height of 2-5 ft and features fern-like leaves. It's used for bonsai due to its compact habit and attractive foliage. It does best in full sun and benefits from some shade from strong midday sun, where temperatures can be high. A dainty looking plant, it thrives in well-drained soil and likes regular water, although some drought tolerance can be expected. It responds well to pruning and can bloom throughout the growing season.

The blooms are showy, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds, with flowers of white, off-white, pink, red, crimson, and vinous colors, and most often in delightful shades of yellow, orange, and red. It is a great choice for a mixed perennial border where large bold plants are needed to back up the more delicate blooms of companion plants.

Dasiphora fruticosa is not just a beautiful plant but is also used in ethnomedicine. It has long been valued as a medicinal herb, with a wide range of applications. All parts of the plant are used in the treatment and prevention of ailments. The plant is believed to offer protection from the wickedness of witches.

In order to encourage the best drive, Dasiphora fruticosa should be grown in USDA zones 9-11, with a mature plant being able to withstand temperatures as low as 30's F for a short time. When grown in pots in cold regions, it should be brought indoors when temperatures drop and given sufficient protection from cold winter winds. It should be watered regularly and fertilized frequently to stimulate the vigor of flowers, and for best results, some of the older stems should be pruned away in late winter or early spring.

Similar plants:

• Duchesnea indica, Fragaria indica, Potentilla indica (Indian Strawberry, Mock Strawberry)