Cinquefoil 'Miss Willmott' - 10 pieces

Potentilla nepalensis 'Miss Willmott'

CHF 29.95

Cherry-pink cup flowers with a raspberry-red eye
Flowers from June to September
Compact cushion, about 30–40 cm tall
Tolerates heat and drought
RHS Award of Garden Merit

'Miss Willmott' is a Nepal cinquefoil with bright pink, cup-shaped flowers. Each flower has a dark raspberry-red eye in the centre. The plant flowers from June to September on slender, branched stems. It tolerates heat and drought and is very easy to care for.

About this variety

Potentilla nepalensis comes from the Himalayas, and 'Miss Willmott' is its best-known variety. The flowers are about 2 cm across, flat and cup-shaped, and a strong pink. A dark blotch at the base of the petals forms a striking eye. Beneath them grows a loose cushion of strawberry-like, mid-green foliage.

A sunny spot with free-draining, preferably chalky soil is ideal. At about 30–40 cm tall the plant suits border edges, rock gardens, gravel areas and pots. It combines beautifully with lavender, catmint, thrift and silver-leaved plants. It fills gaps between taller perennials and roses.

Bees and other pollinators visit the open flowers all summer. The plant copes well with heat and drought and needs hardly any attention. A light trim after the main flush keeps it compact. It is very hardy and also suitable for higher altitudes. In groups of five or more it forms a bright pink carpet that shows colour all summer long. Ten plants are enough for a lovely edging along a path or seating area.

Planting

Plant 'Miss Willmott' in spring from March to May or in autumn in September and October. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and set the root collar just below the surface. Space plants 30–40 cm apart. Choose a sunny spot with free-draining soil. Water in well.

Care

Water only while the plants establish and during prolonged dry spells. Feeding is hardly necessary. Cut back a little after the first flush to encourage repeat flowering into September. Remove old shoots at ground level in spring. Older plants can be divided.

Specifications

Botanical name: Potentilla nepalensis 'Miss Willmott'
Genus: Perennials
Class: Various
Supplied as: Bare roots
Flower colour: Pink
Flower size: 2 cm
Fragrant: No
Flowering time: June, July, August, September
Flowering season: Early summer, High summer, Late summer and autumn
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Height: 35 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Habit: Clump-forming
Position: Sun
Suitable for: Bed, Bed edge and border, Pot and container, Rock garden, Wildlife garden and meadow, Woodland edge
Soil type: Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Planting time: March, April, May, September, October
Planting depth: Just cover the root collar
Spacing: 30–40 cm
Number per m²: 7
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 3–4
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Not suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
Ground cover: Yes
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly
RHS hardiness: H7