The use of Potentilla in garden design
Both herbaceous and shrubby forms of plants are desirable in any flower bed. Due to its moderate exactingness, rapid growth and willing flowering, Potentilla can be successfully grown in any climatic zone of Russia, the main thing is to choose the right varieties and learn about some general preferences of the culture.
Suitable for Potentilla:
- well-drained, moderately moist soil;
- an area in the sun or in a light shade, where the plant is not at risk of flooding and decay;
- flowerbed, curb or rabatka in urban areas, since the plant is not afraid of smoke and high concentration of dust and exhaust gases in the air.
All types of Potentilla are rarely affected by pests, they winter well, especially with a dry preventive shelter of the root system.
The lack of smell and long-term flowering make it possible to plant shrubs and herbaceous species near children's, educational and medical institutions, in crowded squares and in the courtyards of residential buildings. A variety of varieties, especially the appearance of semi- and terry varieties, guarantees the uniqueness of the landscape design and the pride of the owner of the site.
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Shrub cinquefoil (P. Fruticosa)
A real find for breeders was cinquefoil shrub or, as the plant is popularly called, five-leafed, Kalmyk or Kuril tea. Unlike herbaceous relatives, this species:
- forms a dense, often spherical crown and reaches a height of 60–120 cm;
- the variety of colors is striking;
- blooms nonstop for 3-4 months;
- has small, five-toed leaves;
- does not lose its aerial part during the winter period.
Thanks to culture enthusiasts, today florists have at their disposal several dozen spectacular varieties with white, yellow, pink, salmon, orange and red flowers.
One of them is the Goldfinger cinquefoil (P. fruticosa Goldfinger) shown in the photo. The fast-growing culture forms a shrub 80 cm high with a dense spherical crown, smooth dark green leaves and 5 cm flowers of a rich yellow hue. Lush, non-stop flowering lasts all summer, until frost in mid-autumn.
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Another noteworthy variety is P. fruticosa Red Ace. Bred in the UK, the variety has a compact, wide-rounded crown up to 60 cm in height and about 100 cm in diameter.
Not afraid of polluted city air, frost and easily tolerating a haircut, the culture prefers the sun or partial shade, reacts well to watering and blooms profusely throughout the warm season.
Orange or salmon flowers of this variety look great against a background of smooth, fairly light foliage.
Lovers of red flowers, which perfectly enliven their garden plot, will love P. fruticosa Marion Red Robin. The shrub form is distinguished by its small size. A dense crown, not exceeding 50 cm in height, can grow up to 80 cm wide. Brownish shoots are densely covered with small light green foliage, against which large flowers of a rich scarlet hue look doubly advantageous. The variety is versatile and can be used both in single and group plantings.
Shrub Potentilla shows itself perfectly in low borders, on slopes and in large flowerpots. To maintain its shape, the plant can be cut, while the flowering is quickly and completely restored.
The most beautiful white-flowered variety is P. fruticosa Abbotswood. Compared to the varieties described above, this plant cannot be called compact. An adult bush reaches a height of about 100 cm and a diameter of 130–150 cm. From the beginning of spring, the crown, which resembles a dense pillow, is covered with small light green foliage, and in June there are large showy flowers of a pure white tone with a yellow core and stamens raised above the corolla.
Flowering lasts until September, and when planted in the sun, the plant feels much better than in partial shade, blooms longer and more abundantly. In the spring, the shrub is recommended to be sheared.
Goose cinquefoil (P. anserina)
A striking representative of the genus is the cinquefoil goose. It is a ground cover plant that is easy to find along fences, on country roadsides, in meadows and near waterways. Due to the ability to reproduce with a mustache, the culture received the nickname "caterpillar" among the people. Due to its unpretentiousness, it is worth the Potentilla to get into more or less favorable conditions, after a few years its recognizable feathery leaves and bright yellow flowers appear on the entire site.
The ornamental plant is widespread in Russia and is even used as an ornamental crop. Potentilla with yellow flowers and bright green foliage acquires particular value where, due to high air pollution, other species do not take root.
Landing in open ground
Cinquefoil develops on any soil, but loam is ideal. Varieties with pink flowers are especially demanding on the composition of the soil; for them, it will be necessary to add mineral fertilizers, ash and sand to the soil. But for other varieties of Potentilla, the enriched soil will be useful, it will be easier for the sprouts to adapt in it.
Transplanting to a site consists of several simple operations:
- First of all, the future landing is marked.
- Then holes are dug with a depth of 600 mm, so that subsequently at least 300 mm remain between the bushes.
- The bottom of each hole is laid out with drainage; broken brick, pebbles or expanded clay will do.
- 1 part of sand and 2 parts of compost and the upper fertile layer of earth are combined and mixed well. The hole is filled with ready-made soil by 2/3.
- The grown bush is set in a hole, and the roots are carefully covered with a layer of soil. The soil should be added in small portions and the sprout should be constantly lifted a little.
- The last 50 mm of depth are filled with a layer of mulch: rotted sawdust or sunflower seed husks.
After planting, the sprouts should be watered. The root moistening is repeated every other day and is carried out in small portions - during the first 10-15 days. Further, the process of caring for an adult plant begins.
Indian cinquefoil (P. indica)
Learning more and more about the plant world, scientists sometimes make discoveries where, it would seem, everything has long been known. Not so long ago, a family known to many owners of household plots and flower growers of Duchenei, or Indian strawberries, was ranked in the Lapchatka genus.
The plant was named Indian Potentilla or Potentilla indica, and it can be distinguished from real strawberries by its characteristic yellow, not white flowers, as well as by inedible fruits.
In Russian gardens, the low-maintenance Indian Potentilla is grown as an ornamental ground cover crop, decorating the site from early spring until frost.
Silver cinquefoil treatment
Infusion: 10 g of finely chopped raw materials, 0.5 l of hot water, leave in a boiling water bath for half an hour, filter through a few layers of gauze, add the volume to the original. Drink half a glass three times before meals.
Tincture of silver cinquefoil: 100 g of dried grass or 50 g of dried silver cinquefoil roots, half a liter of vodka. The composition is tightly closed, left for 3 weeks in a cold place, then filtered. Take 40 drops with water or warm milk 3 times 30 minutes before meals.They are treated for a month, after 7 days, the treatment can be repeated if necessary.
For the treatment of tumors, nodular goiter, the duration of taking the tincture is three months without interruption. They are used not only internally, but also externally. When living in places where iodine deficiency is used to prevent thyroid diseases. Two monthly courses are carried out per year. Take three times 30 drops with water or warmed milk before meals.
Tincture of silver cinquefoil is a strong antioxidant, immunostimulating and rejuvenating agent:
- removes toxins, toxins;
- useful for people after a heart attack, stroke;
- for diseases of the thyroid gland is considered one of the best remedies;
- treats gout, rheumatism disease;
- atherosclerosis, hypertension;
- used for anemia, hepatitis;
- excellently helps with problems with the digestive system - stomach and duodenal ulcer, stomach colic, enterocolitis
- used - prolapse of the uterus, uterine fibroids, mastopathy, ovarian cyst, some types of infertility, prostate adenoma;
- supports a weakened body;
- helps heart diseases, malignant tumors.
Outwardly, tincture of silver cinquefoil is used to treat skin diseases, joint diseases
Ointment: silver cinquefoil herb - 5g, boil in 1/2 cup of butter for 10 minutes, strain. Store in a cool place, dark glass container. Lubricate problem areas with a not thick layer three times a day.
Diseases of the thyroid gland: the root of silver cinquefoil - 100g, grinded, poured with a liter of vodka, insisted for a month, darkened, cool place, strained. Drink 30 drops 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. Only a month, then a break for a week, the treatment is repeated.
Polycystic ovary: 6 tbsp. silver cinquefoil roots, half a liter of vodka, kept in a dark cool place for 3 weeks, the composition is filtered. They consume 30 drops of trees 3 times 20 minutes before meals for 3 months, then a break for a month, the treatment is repeated.
Medicinal use
Silver cinquefoil has the following effect:
- anti-inflammatory;
- wound healing;
- hemostatic;
- astringent;
- hypotensive;
- antimicrobial;
- anthelmintic;
- expectorant;
- antimicrobial.
Indications for use
As an internal remedy, Potentilla is highly effective in:
- colitis;
- diarrhea;
- enteritis;
- enterocolitis;
- gastritis;
- cirrhosis of the liver;
- jaundice;
- hematuria;
- uterine, hemorrhoidal and pulmonary bleeding.
This plant helps to relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. In addition, silver cinquefoil is used for gastritis, Graves' disease, bronchial asthma, goiter and fever. The use of a decoction of the herb has a positive effect on the condition in the event of acute respiratory diseases and hypertension.
Recommendation! To speed up the healing process with a cold, it is recommended to apply warm boiled cinquefoil herb to the throat. This can be done in parallel with the internal reception of the decoction.
Using cinquefoil preparations externally, you can get rid of weeping eczema and furunculosis. For angina, stomatitis, bleeding gums, abrasions and ulcers on the tongue and ulcerative gingivitis, rinsing with a decoction of this herb is indicated. Crushed fresh leaves of the plant can be applied to wounds and cuts - they will promote their early healing, even in the presence of purulent formations.
Infusions and decoctions of silver cinquefoil are used in medicine for bloody urine and mucous secretions. They also show a fairly high efficiency against intestinal parasites.
Recipes for products for internal and external use
- Pneumonia and chronic bronchitis during an exacerbation. In this case, it is necessary to prepare an alcoholic tincture. Pour a tablespoon of plant leaves with 75% alcohol and close. Leave the container with the drug for 14 days in a warm place. Filter and squeeze the mixture.Before taking 20 drops of the tincture, dilute with water and drink three times a day.
- Mouth rinse. Silver cinquefoil herb in the amount of 3 teaspoons, pour a glass of water. Bring to a boil and leave for 2 hours. Filter the product.
Important! During the preparation of this product, it is very important not to boil it; the gas supply must be turned off as soon as the first bubbles begin to rise. For cracks in the arms, legs and lips
Grind dry grass into powder using a coffee grinder or mortar. Dissolve 5 g of raw materials in half a glass of butter and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Filter the product and transfer to a glass container. Store the ointment in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
With cracks in the arms, legs and lips. Grind dry grass into powder using a coffee grinder or mortar. Dissolve 5 g of raw materials in half a glass of butter and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Filter the product and transfer to a glass container. Store the ointment in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
Recommendation! If you add pork fat to the resulting ointment, you can get an effective remedy for furunculosis and eczema.
For stomach pains, hypertension, colds, myositis, rheumatism and women's diseases. Pour a tablespoon of dry or fresh herbs with a glass of boiling water. Cover the container with a lid and leave for 40 minutes. Take the ready-made product, 100 ml three times a day, half an hour before meals.
Description, reproduction and distribution area of silver cinquefoil
Perennial herb of the Rosaceae family, up to 50 cm high, with a long fusiform root.
Rhizome is short, woody; a bunch of leaves annually departs from the root collar, forming a rosette, from which a flowering stem emerges in the spring of next year.
The stem is erect, thin, but very strong, white-tomentose. The leaves are palmate-five-part and only the upper ones are trifoliate, green above, white-tomentose below. Basal leaves on long petioles, wilting during flowering; stem - numerous, short petiolate, upper - sessile.
The flowers are light yellow, collected in a loose corymbose panicle.
The fruit is multi-nut, finely wrinkled nuts.
Silver cinquefoil blooms in June - September, fruits ripen in August.
Distributed in the European part of the CIS, in the Caucasus, in Western and Eastern Siberia.
Silver cinquefoil grows on dry and fresh sandy soils in pine and mixed forests, on dry meadows, glades, among bushes, along roads, in wastelands.
