Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood'

Common name: Shrubby cinquefoil

Description: Potentilla fruticosa 'Abbotswood' is a compact, mound-forming deciduous shrub that produces an exceptionally long and generous succession of pure white, saucer-shaped flowers against delicate blue-green foliage from late spring right through to the first frosts. Few shrubs match its reliability and length of flowering season, and its neat, rounded habit requires little or no pruning. With its ornamental brown stems providing winter structure, it delivers interest across multiple seasons with minimal effort — a deservedly popular RHS Award of Garden Merit holder.

Other benefits: exceptionally long flowering season, ornamental winter stems, drought tolerant, low maintenance, RHS Award of Garden Merit, suitable for hedging

Wildlife attraction: bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers over many months

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 0.85m x 1.2m

Position: full sun to partial shade; most soils; excellent drainage preferred

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline; adaptable to sandy, chalky, and clay soils

Moisture: low to moderate; drought tolerant once established; prefers well-drained conditions

Winter hardiness: fully hardy to approximately -25°C; one of the hardiest of all flowering shrubs