Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White'

• Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
• Wildlife: Deer-resistant, making it suitable for areas where wildlife browsing is a concern.

• Season: Spring through Fall
• Flowering Season: Late spring through early fall (May to September)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7

🌼 Foundation Planting

• Compact size (2–3 ft tall and wide) makes it excellent for low-growing foundation beds.
  

🌸 Mass Planting & Groundcover

• Dense, mounding growth habit suits mass plantings along borders, slopes, or open beds for a carpet of white bloom.
  

🪨 Rock Gardens & Xeriscapes

• Ideal for rocky or poor soils and low-water-use landscapes; thrives in hot, sunny spots.
  

🏡 Cottage & Pollinator Gardens

• Produces creamy white flowers from late spring into fall, drawing in bees and butterflies.
  

🚧 Municipal or Roadside Plantings

• Popular for public landscapes and roadsides due to its salt tolerance, drought resistance, and minimal maintenance needs.

• Color: Dark green, finely textured foliage that contrasts beautifully with the white flowers.
• Shape: Small, pinnate leaves with five leaflets, giving the shrub a soft, delicate texture.
• Size: Leaves are approximately 1 inch long, adding a lush, fern-like appearance to the plant.

• Color: Creamy-white flowers with yellow centers.
• Bloom Time: Blooms continuously from late spring to early fall, offering long-lasting color throughout the growing season.
• Size of Blooms: Each flower measures about 1-1.5 inches across, appearing in clusters that cover the shrub.

• Best Time to Plant: Plant in early spring or fall, allowing the shrub to establish roots before the heat of summer or cold of winter.

Planting Instructions:

• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and rocky soils, but should not be planted in waterlogged conditions.
• Spacing: Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for mature growth and good air circulation.
• Depth: Plant at the same depth as the root ball, ensuring the crown is level with the soil surface.

• Pruning Needs: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged branches and maintain a compact shape. Light pruning after the first bloom can encourage additional flowering.
• Winter Care: 'McKay's White' is cold-hardy and does not require special winter care in its hardiness zones.

• Watering Frequency: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires only occasional watering during prolonged dry periods.
• Drought Tolerance: Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for dry, sunny locations.

• Preferred Light: Full sun for the best flowering and growth. It tolerates light shade but may have fewer blooms in shaded conditions.

• When to Harvest: Flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements during the blooming season.
• How to Harvest: Use sharp pruning shears to cut flower stems just above a set of leaves, encouraging additional blooms.

• When to Fertilize: Fertilization is generally unnecessary, but if growth appears slow or leaves show signs of nutrient deficiency, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• Type of Fertilizer: Use a balanced, general-purpose fertilizer or organic compost to support healthy growth.

• Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
• Pests: Generally pest-free, though aphids or spider mites may occasionally affect the plant. Treat with insecticidal soap if necessary.
• Disease: Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew or root rot, especially in humid climates or poorly drained soils.

Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' is pollinated by bees and butterflies. Its continuous blooming provides a valuable nectar source for pollinators throughout the growing season.

Choose companions that prefer full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate to low water needs to complement Potentilla 'McKay’s White':

🌼 Other Flowering Shrubs

– soft pink flowers contrast beautifully with white blooms

– adds fragrance and silvery foliage

– upright purple-blue spikes create seasonal contrast

🌿 Compact Evergreens

– provides low-spreading evergreen texture

– neat, mounding form echoes Potentilla’s shape

– textural soft green contrast year-round

🌾 Ornamental Grasses

– powder-blue tufts pair well with creamy white flowers

– soft plumes add motion and height