PlantFiles: Silvery Cinquefoil
Potentilla argentea

One thing of note is that this plant can survive very unfriendly conditions, and will bloom when only a few inches high.

I love it as a small plant because it looks like an absolutely top of the range buttercup - very rich golden flowers with the silvery edge to the leaves, it looks like a buttercup that has been re-worked by Mappin and Webb.

Plant overhangs when grows. Please advise when to prune.
Thank you,
KWertz313@aol.com

Potentilla is a drought-tolerant, quickly established shrub which delights the eye with its sweet yellow flowers. Tolerates very sunny spots and often a shrub of choice for xeriscaping. Doesn't get to be very tall; possibly up to 6 feet; prefers elevations above 5000'. Appreciates moisture when it can it, so in the garden at high elevations, 1x per week is great after established. If in the wild, 15" annual precipitation will keep this alive. Lower elevations, more frequent watering is needed.

Other species: P. aserina is found from NM to CA; P. fruticosa is smaller, more often found nationwide (grows to ~4'); and P. thruberii, is low-growing w/dark green foliage and orange-red flowers on stems to 18" tall, probably more often available nationwide.