shrubN. America Native

Happy Face Yellow Potentilla

Potentilla fruticosa 'Lundy'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

Expertly Curated

Real-Time Pricing

Loved by Designers

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

20-30 years

Native To

Northern Hemisphere, including North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Potentilla fruticosa, or Bush Cinquefoil, is an exceptionally hardy, adaptable, and long-blooming deciduous shrub. It forms a dense, twiggy mound with small, finely textured leaves and is covered in saucer-shaped flowers for months. 'Lundy', sold as Happy Face Yellow, is a selection noted for its extra-large, bright lemon-yellow flowers that provide continuous color from spring until frost. It maintains a neat, mounded habit with minimal care.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Potentilla provides a cheerful and continuous splash of color in the landscape from late spring until the first hard frost. Its fine-textured foliage and neat, mounded habit make it an attractive filler or low border plant.

Its extreme toughness, adaptability to various soils, and drought tolerance make it a workhorse for low-maintenance landscapes, including parking lot islands, slopes, and commercial properties. It also makes a fine informal hedge.

The simple, open-faced flowers are accessible to a wide range of small native bees and other pollinators, providing a long-lasting food source throughout the summer and fall.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

We couldn't find this plant listed online right now.

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.
This plant is not picky about soil type or pH.
Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the container.
Remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole.
Backfill with soil, firming it around the root ball.
Water well after planting to settle the soil.

Pro Tip

For best flowering, provide at least six hours of direct sunlight. In hot southern climates, afternoon shade is beneficial.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged drought.
Give it a hard prune every few years to rejuvenate the plant.
Plant in full sun for the most prolific blooming.
Use it in tough spots where other shrubs might fail.

Don't

Do not plant in poorly drained, constantly wet soil.
Avoid heavy fertilization, which is generally unnecessary.
Don't plant in deep shade, as it will become leggy and flower poorly.
Refrain from shearing into formal shapes; it looks best with a natural form.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tough and colorful low hedge or borderReliable mass planting for slopes and commercial sitesLow-maintenance foundation planting

Companion Plants

Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound' Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' Panicum virgatum 'Shenandoah' Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Happy Face Yellow Potentilla questions

What zones can Happy Face Yellow Potentilla grow in?

Happy Face Yellow Potentilla is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Happy Face Yellow Potentilla deer resistant?

Yes — Happy Face Yellow Potentilla is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Happy Face Yellow Potentilla bloom?

Happy Face Yellow Potentilla typically blooms in late spring through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Happy Face Yellow Potentilla need full sun?

Happy Face Yellow Potentilla does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Happy Face Yellow Potentilla drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Happy Face Yellow Potentilla handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.