loooking after potentilla

I have a potentilla which i bought last year.I have not done anything to it since it stopped flowering last October /November.Should I cut it back before the spring or should I just leave it alone? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Hi there and welcome. With the ones I've grown, I've only pruned to keep it tidy and in shape - so I shall be interested in hearing what others do.

 

Is this the shrubby potentilla (P.suffruticosa) or the herbaceous potentilla?. The shrubby one needs little pruning as Fran says and the herbaceous ones only need the dead top growth clearing away around now.

 

Thanks for the replies.I think it's the shrubby one. Although new leaves are starting to apear the old flower heads from last year are still there and I was wondering whether these should be removed.

 

If they have not fallen off then yes you should remove them. We get seedlings appearing around the plants we have,so keep your eyes open, you never know!

 

Job now done,one very bald plant now sitting on patio!Planted three new ones -Marian Red Robin-yesterday, will be interesting to see how all four get on.I'm in a very exposed coastal location which can be very windy and I was really pleased with the way the first one flowered continuously through to late autumn last year no matter what sort of conditions were thrown at it. Thanks again.

 

Lovely reliable shrub. I just give 'em a tidy up with a pair of sharp garden shears round about now, If old plants are heavily congested in the centre then take a third out low down to encourage new growth from the base.

As well as seedlings also look for any low branches touching the ground as they readily self layer. Snip the branch on the bush side then leave it untill new leaves are under well under way then carefull lift and replant in a new position. This will guarantee your new plant is the same colour as the original whereas with seedlings you could get anything.

 

Will try that,thanks