Cinquefoil has been known as a medicinal plant for several hundred years. But it also looks good. It also requires little maintenance.
Gardeners today already know several 100 types of different cinquefoils, whose healing properties have played an important role in alternative healing methods for centuries. For example, the medicinal plant is used for diarrhea, gum disease, sore throat, fever, nail bed inflammation and the like. So it can be used both internally and externally. The dried roots are primarily prepared as tea or tinctures.
By the way: The perennial cinquefoil got its name from its five-petalled flower shape, which was related to the five human fingers of a hand. However, there are some species that do not have five petals.
Growing Cinquefoil
» Floor:
All hardy cinquefoil species native to Europe always love a nutrient-rich, albeit lime-poor and permeable soil. Whereby they always feel particularly comfortable at higher altitudes.
» Location:
When choosing a location, you should choose a sunny to moderately semi-shady spot, as most species clearly prefer warmth and a certain degree of dry soil.
» Extension:
You should grow cinquefoil in early spring (from March) by planting small cuttings in the ground. You can also plant the cinquefoil in tubs, which means that it also thrives on terraces and balconies.
In the following years, the extremely easy-care cinquefoil usually spreads independently, which is why you will certainly have to share it from time to time. To do this, simply carefully divide the perennials with a spade and, if necessary, use them again at a new location. Of course, the best time for division is always early spring.
Known cinquefoil species:
Rock cinquefoil - © Nahhan / Stock.adobe.com
• often also referred to as stone cinquefoil • white flowers • well suited for partial shade
Fingerbush (Potentilla fruticosa) - © M. Schuppich / Stock.adobe.com
• ornamental shrub with woody plants • yellow flowers • can be cut back completely in autumn
Dwarf cinquefoil (Potentilla Brauneana) - © Orestligetka / Stock.adobe.com
• creeping plant • only 5 centimeters high • well suited for edging beds or as a meadow plant
Mock Strawberry - © Simona / Stock.adobe.com
• Fruit formation similar to strawberries but with hardly any taste
Blood red cinquefoil (Potentilla atrosanguinea) - © Skymoon13 / Stock.adobe.com
• red flowers • less common
Tall cinquefoil (Potentilla recta) - © Emilio100 / Stock.adobe.com
• yellow flowers • requires little care • up to 80 centimeters high
Creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans) - © Float / Stock.adobe.com
• yellow flowers • snaking its stolons along the ground • well suited to humid areas Meadows
Bloodroot (Potentilla Erecta) - © Angloma / Stock.adobe.com
• well suited for rock gardens • very robust species
Cinquefoil (Potentilla Anserina) - © Papava / Stock.adobe.com
• yellow flowers • also tolerates moist soil • well suited for flower meadows
Golden Cinquefoil (Potentilla Aurea) - © Skymoon13 / Stock.adobe.com
• moderately flowering • known as a medicinal herb against diarrhea and throat infections (tea)
Silver cinquefoil (Potentilla Argentea) - © Gabriffaldi/ Stock.adobe.com
• yellow flowers • very rich flowering phase • evergreen at moderate temperatures
Spring cinquefoil (Potentilla Neumanniana) - © JRG / Stock.adobe.com
• most common in our gardens • 2 flowering phases - flowers for the first time as early as March
• carpet-like spread
White cinquefoil (Potentilla Alba) - © Kazakovmaksim / Stock.adobe.com
• white flowers • is a protected species
Caring for Cinquefoil
The cinquefoil begins to bloom between May and June, with mainly yellow flowers but also white and red flowers to be admired on the perennials that grow to a height of 80 centimeters (the cinquefoil even grows up to 1.5 metres). . Depending on the variety, the flowering phase lasts into September.
» Fertilize:
The species that occur in nature usually do not require fertilizer. Only cultivated forms of cinquefoil can be fertilized once a year if necessary.
» casting:
Furthermore, the cinquefoil only needs watering during longer periods of drought, whereby you must always avoid waterlogging. The same applies to potted plants.
» pruning:
You can either cut back faded cinquefoils in autumn or early spring, or you can also shape the perennial without any problems.