Cinquefoil

Potentilla Gibson's Scarlet

• Position: full sun
• Soil: poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: June to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Long sprays of bright scarlet, saucer-shaped flowers with bright yellow anthers appear all summer long above clumps of pretty, strawberry-like leaves. This low-growing deciduous shrub is a perfect front-of-border plant for a bold planting scheme based on 'hot' colours. Given a sunny, well-drained site, it's easy to grow, producing a succession of flowers from June to August, although it will also brighten up a partially shady spot in the garden.
  
  
• Garden care: Lift and divide large clumps in autumn or spring. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant in spring.