This picture was taken yesterday, so they also provide some late summer interest. This one is P. 'Lemon Sweetie', which has larger flowers than most other cultivars.

Sometimes we forget that there are some overused or unsexy plants that can get the job done. And as you note, they can be wonderful fillers and are expendable. Nice.

Lovely combination.

I'll move them when the time comes, but it will be quick. I'd prefer to donate them and wish there was a place to drop off gently used plants. Kind of like a Goodwill store for plants. That might not sit well with local garden centers...

I recently donated plants to the Volunteer Park in Seattle, WA and they were thrilled. They were some interesting hydrangeas that they did not have for their spring exhibit in the conservatory. Others will be planted in the gardens. I also gave some phygelius to the Jimi Hendrix Garden for their butterfly garden. We also donated several different plants to a Clinic that works with people with different disabilities. They moved into an old building and needed easy care plants for their neglected gardens. There are many hospitals, public gardens, schools and other places to donate plants. All schools and C-3 organizations are strapped for money and would love to perk up their gardens. As you drive around, look and see a garden that needs some love and stop and ask! You might have to show them where and even plant them yourself but it will be exciting to see your babies growing and giving other pleasure. Don't worry about the garden centers - they can take care of themselves.

maackia,

I'm just impressed on how much landscaping and mulching you have done.

It would be nice if there was a Veterans park or somewhere that was looking for some nice trees or shrubs for their landscape.

Wow, great ideas on donating plants. I was being facetious, but now you've got me thinking seriously about this. Thanks!

I have put available plants in our Master Gardener newsletter, stating that anyone who wants them has to come and dig them up. They come! I am an MG so it's easy, but if you know one, he/she might do that for you also. In one case the MG took the plants to a local senior center where she volunteers and planted them there.

Interesting that the foliage quality looks good yet. This is one of the few plants I haven't planted as they look ratty by August. Wonder if the cooler, moist weather is more friendly to this plant.

I've never tried one but I knew a guy that did (zone 3) and it looked pretty good early summer. Never did get a chance to see it later in the season. Now that all my trees are planted, I may pick one up next time I go to a nursery or greenhouse.

Whaas, I think you might be on to something. While I've seen Potentilla touted as being suitable for hot, dry conditions, the few I have look better the past two summers, both of which have been relatively cool. Actually, this August has been one of the coolest I can remember (down to 49F last night). Potentilla is never going to be the most tidy, but cool conditions or with partial shade seems to be to their liking.

I once knew a guy who thought potentilla was the cat's meow. No kidding. I also once knew a guy who considered sumac a legitimate substitute for Japanese maples, so keep that in mind.

Sometimes, you grow what you can. I find myself now in a land where z6 winters happen...so yeah, the plants that once were the workhourses of the landscapes i knew are hard to find at all now.

I've found potential to be durable and adaptable. My experience tells me if it gets a liitle oversized or that general term referred to as ratty looking, a bit of a haircut brings it back to form nicely. How much depends on your mood.

On the farm, we have one that gets run over by a tractor at least once a year. So far, It's bounced back well every year...considering this has been happening for over 20 years...not too concerned about durability.

Once the cooler weather of fall comes, new growth and flowers come around. If given adequate moisture through summer, does well at all times.

I've filed thus under the heading of, if you can't grow this, give up.

I don't think it quite reaches cat's meow status, and would never use it as a stand alone shrub, but it can be quite nice when grown right. This pic is from Grand Marais along Lake Superior. Cool and moist describes this setting.

And here it is growing wild...filling in the nooks and crannies...

I bought one of these to put in a small corner bed that's by the roadside...hopefully it is salt tolerant lol...not sure of which variety I have, but the flowers are more of a peachy cream color

I take that back I did plant a Pink beauty long ago. That and the soft yellow one you show are the only ones that don't look gaudy to me.