I’ve enjoyed growing a small potentilla for the last two years. As a deciduous shrub, I can appreciate the structure of the branches in winter and enjoy the flowers in summer.

Potentilla in bloom

Potentilla flower

In my garden, the tree really kicks into gear around this time of year. If my goal for this tree were to thicken the trunk or primary branches, I’d let it grow until fall so the tree could generate as much new growth as possible.

Trunk detail

As this specimen is small and somewhat dense, I find that interior branches die back unless I thin some of the foliage. In an effort to preserve these branches, I’ll remove some of the leaves and shorten the longer branches.

Five-lobed potentilla leaf

After thinning foliage and cutback – 5″ tall

Although I enjoy being able to see into the tree’s interior, I do miss the flowers. If I’m lucky, I may see a few more blooms before summer is over.

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