Potentilla fruticosa 'Tangerine'

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

Shrub offers some shelter for small insects and birds.

Spring: foliage emerges, first flowers appear late spring.

Summer: peak bloom of vibrant orange flowers.

Fall: flowers continue until frost; foliage may turn yellow before dropping.

Winter: twiggy form provides minimal structure.

– Borders, mass plantings, low hedges, foundation plantings, rock gardens, pollinator-friendly gardens, commercial landscapes needing toughness and color

Small, pinnate leaves with 5–7 narrow leaflets.

Medium green foliage, fine-textured and attractive through the growing season.

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

Vibrant tangerine-orange blooms, often with a soft golden-yellow base.

Flowers are 1–1.5" across, with five petals.

Abundant flowering from late spring through frost, often in flushes with light pruning.

Color can deepen in cooler weather or appear softer in hot climates.

Plant in spring or early fall for best establishment.

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.

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

Backfill with native soil; lightly amend if soil is extremely poor.

Water well after planting and apply 2–3" mulch to conserve moisture (keep mulch away from stems).

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

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

Shear lightly after the first bloom flush to encourage rebloom.

Every 3–4 years, rejuvenation pruning (cutting back by one-third) helps maintain compactness.

Moderate; water consistently during establishment (first season).

Once established, drought tolerant, though flowers better with occasional deep watering in extended dry periods.

Avoid soggy, poorly drained soils.

Full sun is essential for best flowering and rich orange tones.

Will tolerate very light partial shade but may flower less.

Not grown for harvest; flowers are ornamental only.

Blooms are not typically used for cut arrangements.

Low nutrient needs; thrives in average soils.

In spring, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if growth is poor.

Avoid high nitrogen feeding, which reduces flower production.

Insect-pollinated; flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

Produces small, dry fruits (achenes), though they have little ornamental value.

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

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

Grasses: Festuca glauca, Panicum virgatum, and Calamagrostis for texture.

Evergreens: Juniperus, Thuja, or Buxus for year-round contrast.