Potentilla - Buttercup Explosion

[Paulpash]

This is a potentilla I have developed from raw material - it's called Buttercup Explosion:

Here it is as a raw bush, freshly dug from the garden:

14thjune185_zpsd3f75dd9 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

Initial wiring for structure a year later after it established in the pot. Uro created to eliminate major crssing branch:

18thfeb17_zps91a232aa by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

Filling out - pads starting to form:

IMG_20160314_173714_zpsbgk34mda by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

Close up of the deadwood running through the flaking, cinnamon coloured bark - Potentilla is one of the few species of deciduous trees it works well with:

18thfeb25_zpsb4e85eff by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

Silhouette fills out quickly - they grow fast and drink a LOT - on a par with Wisteria / Swamp Cypress. Wired 2 times per growing season - 4 cut backs in total. Branches were wired for good undulating movement. Ramification is coming along well.

IMG_20170503_182107874_zps9hphvhx4 by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

It has very pretty flowers dotted all over it.
IMG_20170816_145526_DRO by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

Full sun kind of washed out the true buttercup yellow except for below where the bottom 2 flowers are in shade:
IMG_20170816_145543_DRO by Paul Pashley, on Flickr

 

[coh]

That's really beautiful. How long was it in the garden? Was this something that was originally planted for future use as bonsai, or was it a lucky find?

 

[BobbyLane]

Stunning

 

[my nellie]

Such a good work you have done, Marie!
Potentillas grow so very beautiful in your country!

 

[Vin]

All I can say is "WOW,,,, just plain WOW"!

 

[barrosinc]

that is really nice!

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Beautiful! Very nice work Marie!

 

[Paulpash]

That's really beautiful. How long was it in the garden? Was this something that was originally planted for future use as bonsai, or was it a lucky find?

It wasn't grown for bonsai - the shari was apparently created by the wonderful work of a lawn mower

 

[Velodog2]

Very nice indeed! I've had one for almost twenty years but there is almost nothing left of it now. Deadwood works well stylistically, which is fortunate since cut branches die back to the roots rather than scar over, but it rots fairly quickly. I recommend wood hardener.

 

[Paulpash]

Beautiful! Very nice work Marie!

Thank you Brian - that means a lot coming from you. It's a little hairy at the moment to allow the flowers to bloom. You got me into growing Japanese White Beech - can I ask if you can remember when you first got your Beech? I can't remember when I first planted the seedling that's now looking well on it's way to being a credible tree. It'll take 4 or 5 more seasons before I am happy with it. JW Beech aren't renowned for their speed

 

[Paulpash]

Very nice indeed! I've had one for almost twenty years but there is almost nothing left of it now. Deadwood works well stylistically, which is fortunate since cut branches die back to the roots rather than scar over, but it rots fairly quickly. I recommend wood hardener.

Thanks for the tip. Potentilla are not long lived and it'll probably leave my garden when I need space which will be fairly soon - I really need to stop propagating - 12 junis and 5 maples added this year alone.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

- can I ask if you can remember when you first got your Beech?

December 2004. Sold it in 2015. I love J. Beeches, but they're not a whole lot of fun to train. I'm planning to try again at some point with younger material, and maybe do a 3-tree clump.

 

[LanceMac10]

Very well done and the progress you have made with this tree is readily apparent.
Nice!!!!

 

[JudyB]

Potentilla with that sizable trunk are hard to come across. They are short lived, but so beautiful. Great work on this. Would love to see your beech.... pretty please...

 

[Cadillactaste]

WOWZER! Stunning!!!

 

[Paulpash]

Potentilla with that sizable trunk are hard to come across. They are short lived, but so beautiful. Great work on this. Would love to see your beech.... pretty please...

I'll take a pic tomorrow - be warned though - it's still rough and in one of my amazing plastic 'grow it on crates' LOL.

 

[sorce]

She COH of England...
Also ten years in.

How about that avatar!

Nice work!

Sorce

 

[pweifan]

This is quite a striking tree! It makes me want one

I'm always intrigued by the taxonomy of plants. I hadn't heard of Potentilla before so I looked it up. It looks like this species is also called Dasiphora fruticosa and it's true name is unresolved. Wikipedia entry is here.

 

[Giga]

That's very striking

 

[Paulpash]

Update - winter image and already pushing - even in freezing temps. Need to cut this one back ASAP and a bit more wire on a few branches. The left side will be left shaggier to bulk up this year.

IMG_20180207_152240_DRO by Paul Pashley, on Flickr