Description of Potentilla palustris (Marsh Cinquefoil)

Potentilla palustris is marsh cinquefoil, also known as Comarum palustre. It’s a proper bog plant with dark, starry flowers and a long season in wet ground.

Appearance

It forms clumps of divided leaves on reddish stems. Flowers are deep maroon to purple, with pointed petals and a spiky look. Flowering is usually summer. Height is often 30 to 60cm and it can spread slowly to form a patch.

Care Guide

It likes wet soil and plenty of light. In shade it still grows, but it flowers less.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Wet, acidic to neutral soil with organic matter.
• Water: Keep consistently wet. It suits boggy ground and pond margins.
• Control: Lift and thin if it spreads into other plants.
• Tidy up: Cut back old stems in late winter.

It combines well with grasses and sedges, because the dark flowers stand out against fine green foliage.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This is ideal for bog gardens and pond edges, especially in natural-style planting. It works well mid-front where you can see the flower detail.

It is also a good plant for wildlife ponds because it looks right in wet margins without needing lots of feeding.

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