Potentilla multifida

Potentilla multifida is a low perennial in the rose family, Rosaceae. It grows to about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall. Its native range stretches from Europe to eastern Asia. Plants For A Future also lists records from parts of Canada. The RHS lists it as non-native to Britain and Ireland. The name Potentilla lapponica appears as a synonym.

In the wild, this plant grows in mountain regions. Its habitats include alpine valleys and meadows on mountain slopes. It also grows along sandy riverbanks, in ravines, and at forest edges. In northern China, records span elevations of 2,297–16,404 feet [700–5,000 metres]. These records place it across a broad range of mountain settings. In gardens, it can grow in cultivated beds. Its low height suits places where taller plants would hide it.

Flowers appear from July to August. Each flower has both male and female organs. Insects pollinate the flowers, and the plant is self-fertile. Seeds ripen from August to September, following the summer bloom. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 3–7. It also gives a UK zone rating of 3. That rating should not be confused with the RHS hardiness scale.

Plants For A Future describes this species as easy to grow. It favours well-drained loam and a site in full sun. It can also cope with light shade. Sandy soils and clay are suitable when drainage is good. Keep the soil moist rather than choosing a dry site. The plant prefers alkaline soil but accepts mildly acid and neutral ground. This gives gardeners some choice of soil without changing its drainage needs.

The starchy root is edible when cooked. Plants For A Future gives it an edibility score of two out of five. That source lists no known hazards, medicinal uses, or other uses. It does not flag the species as a weed. Grow new plants from seed sown in spring or autumn. Use a cold frame, then move seedlings into separate pots. Keep them in a greenhouse through their first winter. Plant them out after the last expected spring frosts. Spring division offers another way to make new plants. Large divisions can go straight into their final sites. Keep small divisions in pots until their roots establish.