Potentilla fruticosa 'SunStar'

Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

Shrub offers light cover for small insects and birds.

Spring: foliage emerges, buds begin to form.

Summer: peak flowering season with bright golden-orange blooms.

Fall: extended blooming until frost; leaves may turn slightly yellow before dropping.

Winter: twiggy structure adds minor interest.

– Borders, low hedges, rock gardens, mass plantings, pollinator gardens, foundation plantings, commercial landscapes

Small, pinnate leaves with 5–7 narrow leaflets.

Fine-textured, medium green foliage that stays attractive throughout the season.

Deciduous in cold climates; may be semi-evergreen in milder zones.

Warm golden-yellow to orange-apricot blooms, 1–1.5" across, with five petals.

Flowers abundantly from late spring to frost, often in successive flushes.

Vibrant tones intensify in cooler weather, giving the plant its "sun-star" glow.

Best planted in spring or early fall when soil is workable.

Select a location with full sun and good air circulation.

Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball, at the same depth as the crown.

Backfill with native soil; amending only if extremely poor or compacted.

Water thoroughly after planting; add 2–3" mulch to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from the stem.

Space 2–3 ft apart for borders, or 3–4 ft for mass plantings.

Light prune in late winter or very early spring to remove dead or weak branches.

After flowering, lightly shear to maintain shape and encourage rebloom.

Every 3–4 years, rejuvenation pruning (cutting back by one-third) restores compactness and vigor.

Moderate water needs; water regularly during establishment.

Once established, drought tolerant, though flowering is improved with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells.

Avoid poorly drained soils that remain soggy.

Requires full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering and vibrant color.

Will tolerate very light partial shade, though blooms decrease.

Not grown for harvest; ornamental value only.

Flowers not suitable for long-lasting cut arrangements.

Generally thrives without fertilizer in average soil.

Apply a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring if growth is weak.

Avoid heavy nitrogen, as it reduces flower production.

Insect-pollinated; flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Produces small dry fruits (achenes), but they are not ornamental.

Shrubs: Spiraea japonica, dwarf Berberis (non-invasive cultivars), Caryopteris, and dwarf Hydrangeas.

Perennials: Coreopsis, Salvia, Nepeta, Rudbeckia, and Echinacea for continuous summer color.

Grasses: Festuca glauca, Panicum, or Calamagrostis for textural contrast.

Evergreens: Juniperus, Thuja, or Buxus for year-round structure and backdrop.