Marsh Cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris)

Marsh Cinquefoil | Potentilla palustris

Striking crimson flowering pond plant for margins, wildlife ponds, and natural planting

Marsh Cinquefoil, scientifically known as Potentilla palustris, is a beautiful UK native marginal plant that brings rich, dramatic colour to pond edges and wetland planting schemes. Best known for its deep crimson, star shaped flowers, this plant creates a striking contrast against the soft greens of surrounding foliage, making it a standout choice for naturalistic and wildlife friendly ponds.

Flowering from June through to August, Marsh Cinquefoil produces unique cup shaped blooms with dark red petals that open into a delicate star formation. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also highly attractive to pollinators such as bees and hoverflies, helping to support biodiversity around your pond.

The foliage is equally attractive, with deep green, slightly serrated leaves carried on reddish stems that echo the tones of the flowers. This combination of colour and texture adds depth and interest to pond margins, while its clump forming habit ensures it integrates well with other aquatic and marginal plants.

Marsh Cinquefoil thrives in consistently wet soil or shallow water, typically between 2 cm and 10 cm deep. It is ideal for marginal shelves, bog gardens, and damp areas where it can establish naturally and provide seasonal colour without becoming invasive. It performs best in full sun but will also tolerate partial shade, making it a flexible addition to most planting schemes.

As a UK native species, this plant plays an important ecological role. Its flowers provide nectar for pollinators, while its low growing foliage offers shelter for amphibians and other pond life. It is especially suited to wildlife ponds where creating a balanced, natural habitat is key.

Fully hardy in UK conditions, Marsh Cinquefoil is a reliable, low maintenance plant that will return year after year. Whether you are enhancing a natural pond, restoring a wetland area, or simply looking for a plant with bold colour and wildlife value, this is an excellent choice.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Deep crimson star shaped flowers for striking colour
• Attracts bees and pollinators
• UK native plant supporting biodiversity
• Ideal for pond margins and bog gardens
• Adds texture with contrasting foliage and stems
• Hardy and reliable in UK conditions

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Reasons to Buy

• Unique flower colour rarely seen in pond plants
• Perfect for wildlife friendly ponds
• Easy to grow and low maintenance
• Great for natural and informal planting schemes
• Provides seasonal interest and ecological benefits

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Care Instructions

• Plant on a marginal shelf or in damp soil at a depth of 2 cm to 10 cm.
• Position in full sun for best flowering, though partial shade is tolerated.
• Keep soil consistently moist or allow shallow water coverage.
• Remove any dead or damaged foliage to maintain a tidy appearance.
• Divide clumps every few years in early spring to maintain healthy growth.
• Monitor planting areas to avoid overcrowding in smaller ponds.

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Flowering Period

June to August

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Marsh Cinquefoil will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• 1 Litre Basket – usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square; some varieties may be supplied in a 14cm diameter × 10cm round basket
• Pack of 3 × 1 Litre Baskets – each usually 11 × 11 × 11cm square

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Bloodwort Wood Dock (Rumex sanguineus) and Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris).

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.