Potentilla fruticosa 'Morden Snow' is a compact, mounded deciduous shrub prized for its pure white, semi-double to double blooms that appear prolifically from late spring through the first frosts of autumn. Developed by Agriculture Canada's Morden Research Station, this prairie-hardy cultivar features fine-textured, pinnately compound foliage in soft grey-green, creating an elegant backdrop for its delicate flowers. The tidy, rounded habit makes it a natural fit for mixed borders, low hedges, and foundation plantings, while its exceptional cold hardiness makes it a reliable performer on the Canadian prairies.
- Mature height: 60–90 cm (2–3 ft)
- Mature spread: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
- Growth rate: Slow to moderate
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Habit: Compact, mounded, self-branching
Hardiness: Zone 2b–3 — excellent for prairie climates - Sun: Full sun to light shade; best flowering in full sun
- Water: Drought tolerant once established; water deeply but infrequently
- Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils; tolerates poor, sandy, or clay soils
- Fertilizing: Light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring if desired; avoid over-fertilizing
- Pruning: Rejuvenate every 2–3 years by cutting one-third of the oldest stems to the ground in early spring; avoid shearing to maintain natural form
- Pests/Disease: Generally pest and disease resistant; excellent low-maintenance shrub