Potentilla gelida

[Kristl Walek]

The picture of the attached plant was sold at some point at Heronswood with the following description:

This absolutely sensational herbaceous species hailing from the Himalaya, via Chris Chadwell, forms substantive rosettes of felted shimmering satin-textured silver plumes of foliage that appear too perfect to be real. Sprays of yellow flowers on branched stems rise above, to 15'', in mid-summer, though it is for the foliage of this incredible plant that we cultivate it - in full sun and sharply drained soil in our rock garden.

It was first listed as "sp. aff gelida" then subsequently as "gelida".

Of course when I search P. gelida on line- I am left with a rather different (small, alpine) plant.

As I now would like to list the seed, I am in a bit of a quandary.

Can anyone help?

[Lesley Cox]

Maybe you could go with the "aff gelida?" It looks a really fine foliage plant.

[Lori S.]

There's a photo of P. gelida in The Caucasus and its Flowers.  Assuming it's correct (not that I have any reason to think otherwise), there's really no suggestion of affinity with Kristl's plant.  P. gelida is supposed to be a low green cushion (not silver) and have trifoliate leaves.  (Actually, P. gelida looks a lot like the locally native alpine potentilla species that I have been hopeless at ID'ing.  )

Beautiful plant, Kristl, whatever it is.

[Kristl Walek]

Yes, Lori....and therin lies my problem. I have seen pictures of the same plant you note on line. Had hoped that someone on the forum may have had experience with this same plant and started sorting it out.

[Lesley Cox]

There are several references on Google to P. gelida as having stunning silver foliage.

[Kristl Walek]

yes, Lesley, but if you notice those nurseries are all describing the same mystery plant derived from heronswood. perhaps erroneously.

[Lori S.]

Looks like Potentilla peduncularis, perhaps.  See photo here:

http://www.plantexplorers.com/vandusen/product_info.php/products_id/335

Description and key to varieties:
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200011112

[Kristl Walek]

very interesting and very helpful,  Lori....and compare the leaf in the picture from the Van Dusen, with the plant, photographed today.