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Sibbaldia tridentata

Previously known as:

  • Potentilla tridentata
  • Sibbaldiopsis tridentata
Phonetic Spelling
sy-BAL-dee-uh try-den-TAY-ta
Description

Shrubby Five-fingers or Three-toothed Cinquefoil is a perennial wildflower typically found along rocky and gravelly shores as well as in dry shale outcrops on prairie hillsides.  Its low growing form makes it a great groundcover.  It also makes an ideal container plant.  When planted on the outer edges of a planter it will give a spiller effect.

The division of this plant should be done every three to four year period to prevent crowding.

Each cluster of flowers may contain up to 25 blooms that they open at the tips of the stem and side branches.  The terminal buds open first.

They will not do well in a landscape situation, as they don't compete well with other plants.  

When grown from seed, they will not flower for two years.  

Under ideal conditions, plants may live up to 10 years.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nuuk'
    Divided into 3 leaflets.
'Nuuk'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#herbaceous#NC native#herb garden culinary#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#urban conditions tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Nuuk'
    Divided into 3 leaflets.
'Nuuk'
Tags:
#evergreen#showy flowers#drought tolerant#wildlife plant#nectar plant#fall interest#specialized bees#herbaceous#NC native#herb garden culinary#frost tolerant#pollinator plant#wildflower garden#urban conditions tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Sibbaldia
    Species:
    tridentata
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Greenland to Northern Central & Eastern U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    Members of the genus Potentilla support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Derandrena) ziziaeformis, and Panurginus potentillae. Butterflies flowers attract butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    2a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Hairy brown seeds are found in the sepal of each flower.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Crowded clusters of small white, oval to egg-shaped, five-petaled flowers. Each has a light green calyx with 5 ovate teeth, a dense cluster of pistils and 20-30 stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Compound leaf with three shiny leaflets. Three rounded teeth at the tip of each. The upper side of the leaf is a dark glossy green. The underside is a lighter green. Both covered with sparse hairs. They turn deep red in fall if grown in full sun.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Shredding
    Bark Description:
    The lower stems have shredded bark that is grey-brown.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The lower stems are woody. The upper stems are not woody and light green to red.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Specialized Bees