prairie wildflower
Northern Cinquefoil
Potentilla villosa
Also known as Villous Cinquefoil, Hairy Cinquefoil
1 of 2Native to Alaska, Oregon, and Washington and southern Canada
Mountains of Washington and southeastern Alberta, north to Juneau, Alaska (var. parviflora); extending to northern Alaska and eastern Asia as var. villosa
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones 1–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jul–Sep Flowering time
- Height up to 10 in to 25 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and lean, dry soil. At up to 10 in, it tucks into meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 1–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Mitoura gryneus
Butterflies that use this plant
Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.
- Juniper hairstreaknectar
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alaska, Oregon, and Washington and southern CanadaUnited States (3): AK, OR, WA. Canada (2): AB, BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Mountains of Washington and southeastern Alberta, north to Juneau, Alaska (var. parviflora); extending to northern Alaska and eastern Asia as var. villosaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 1–9 · Canadian 0–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Rocky soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 10 in (to 25 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jul–SepWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.