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Potentilla anserina (Silverweed)

Silverweed, Dog's Tansy, Fair Days, Fair Grass, Goose Grass, Goose Tansy, Marsh Corn, Silkweed, Silver Feather, Wild Tansy, Argentina anserina

Potentilla anserina, Silverweed, Dog's Tansy, Fair Days, Fair Grass, Goose Grass, Goose Tansy, Marsh Corn, Silkweed, Silver Feather, Wild Tansy, Yellow Potentilla, Yellow Flowers
Potentilla anserina, Silverweed, Dog's Tansy, Fair Days, Fair Grass, Goose Grass, Goose Tansy, Marsh Corn, Silkweed, Silver Feather, Wild Tansy, Yellow Potentilla, Yellow Flowers

Formerly cultivated for its edible root, Potentilla anserina (Silverweed) is a low herbaceous perennial forming attractive rosettes of silky, lacy, silvery leaves, 4-8 in. long (10-20 cm), adorned with 9-31 deeply toothed leaflets. From early to late summer, 5-petaled, bright yellow flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), bloom atop leafless stalks rising from a runner node. Silverweed spreads vigorously by its running roots which creep along the ground, rooting at the nodes to form new plants. All parts of this plant are edible. The leaves can be added to salads or used to make tea. The roots can be eaten raw, cooked or dried. They are said to have the flavor of parsnips or sweet potatoes when cooked. Medical herbalists consider this plant to have a number of medicinal applications, including uses as an astringent, antispasmodic, diuretic, haemostatic, odentalgic and tonic. A very easily grown plant, Silverweed is a perfect choice for moist soils, ponds and streams margins. Good for erosion control.

  • Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 12-36 in. wide (30-90 cm). Will spread and reseed in the garden.
  • Performs best in full sun or light shade, in average, moist, well-drained soils. Drought resistant once established.
  • Virtually pest and disease free. Rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
  • Native to Europe.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Potentilla
Common names Cinquefoil, Goose Grass
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 12" - 36" (30cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, California, Pacific Northwest, Illinois, South Dakota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Drymocallis arguta (Tall Cinquefoil)
Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil)
Potentilla thurberi ‘Monarch’s Velvet’ (Scarlet Cinquefoil)
Potentilla fruticosa ‘Daydawn’ (Shrubby Cinquefoil)
Potentilla recta ‘Warrenii’ (Sulphur Cinquefoil)
Potentilla atrosanguinea var. argyrophylla ‘Scarlet Starlit’ (Himalayan Cinquefoil)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
Native Plant Alternatives to Potentilla recta (Sulphur Cinquefoil)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Plant Type Herbs, Perennials
Plant Family Rosaceae
Genus Potentilla
Common names Cinquefoil, Goose Grass
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Height 6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread 1' - 3' (30cm - 90cm)
Spacing 12" - 36" (30cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Southwest, Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, Alaska, California, Pacific Northwest, Illinois, South Dakota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Tennessee, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Ponds And Streams
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Potentilla (Cinquefoil) to pick?
Compare Now

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