Potentilla neumanniana

Perennial of the Rosaceae family, Potentilla neumanniana — long known as Potentilla tabernaemontani or P. verna — is widely spread in Europe, from plains to mountains. The population of the Picos de Europa, photographed here on gravelly limestone substrate at high altitude, presents a particularly tight and dense cushion habit, noticeably more compact than the low-altitude forms.

The plant forms a low and spreading carpet or cushion, barely 5 to 10 cm in height, consisting of rosettes connected by short lignified stolons. The leaves are palmate, with five narrowly oblong leaflets, toothed at the top, of a shiny dark green, slightly hairy. The foliage is persistent to semi-persistent depending on altitude and climate.

The flowers are bright yellow to lemon yellow, with five slightly notched petals, borne on short stems, and produced in such abundance that they almost entirely mask the foliage at the time of flowering. In its natural high-altitude habitat, flowering extends from April to June depending on exposure. In lowland cultivation, it occurs from March-April.

It thrives in full sun on well-drained, stony, preferably limestone soil, poor to moderately rich. Excellent for rock gardens, slab joints, and dry slopes. Robust and undemanding once established.