Shrubby Cinquefoil (potentilla fruticosa)

• Tough, fully hardy deciduous shrub (typically 0.6–1.5 m tall/spread) with long-lasting five-petalled flowers (yellow, white, pink, orange, etc.) from late spring/early summer into autumn.
• Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant once established, pest- and disease-resistant; thrives in poor soils, exposed/coastal sites, and full sun to partial shade.
• Excellent for borders, low informal hedging, ground cover, wildlife gardens (attracts bees and pollinators); deer- and rabbit-resistant.

• When: November–March (dormant season) while ground is workable — not frozen or waterlogged.
• Site & soil: Full sun (best flowering) or partial shade; well-drained soil of almost any type (tolerates clay, sand, chalk, poor ground) — avoid prolonged waterlogging. Improve heavy soils with grit/compost if needed.
• How to plant: Dig a hole no deeper than the roots but 2–3× as wide. Spread roots out naturally. Set so the previous soil mark/collar is level with the surrounding soil surface. Backfill with excavated soil (optional organic matter if poor), firm gently to eliminate air pockets, and water thoroughly to settle.
• Spacing: 50–100 cm apart as specimens; closer (e.g. 45–60 cm / ~2 per metre) for informal hedging.
• Aftercare: Water regularly in the first growing season (especially dry spells) until established. Mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture (keep away from stems). Minimal ongoing care needed thereafter.

Photo credit: MPF, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons (cropped)