Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) is in the rose family family (Rosaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,392 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to September, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Shrubby Cinquefoil: observations by month (U.S.)
About Shrubby Cinquefoil
Dasiphora fruticosa (syn. Potentilla fruticosa L., Pentaphylloides fruticosa (L.) O.Schwarz) is a disputed name. It is a species of hardy deciduous flowering shrub in the genus Dasiphora (formerly Potentilla) of the family Rosaceae, native to the cool temperate and subarctic regions of the northern hemisphere, often growing at high altitudes in mountains. Common names include shrubby cinquefoil, golden hardhack, bush cinquefoil, shrubby five-finger, tundra rose, and widdy.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Shrubby Cinquefoil by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 390 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Utah | 99 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Vermont | 98 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Washington | 98 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Alaska | 89 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Massachusetts | 73 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wyoming | 70 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Ohio | 61 | July | May–Sep |
| Maine | 59 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Montana | 46 | June | Jun–Sep |
| Minnesota | 44 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Michigan | 42 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 36 | August | Jun–Sep |
| New Mexico | 27 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Idaho | 22 | July | Jun–Aug |
| New York | 19 | July | Jun–Sep |
| Connecticut | 18 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Illinois | 18 | July | Jul–Sep |
| California | 14 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Oregon | 14 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Indiana | 10 | September | Aug–Sep |
| North Dakota | 10 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Arizona | 8 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Nevada | 8 | July | Jul–Jul |
| Rhode Island | 6 | June | Jun–Jun |
| New Hampshire | 5 | June | Jun–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (rose family)
Multiflora Rose
Virginia strawberry
Southern Dewberry
Trailing Blackberry
Purple-Flowered Raspberry
Thimbleberry
Salmonberry
Mock Strawberry
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Shrubby Cinquefoil?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from June to September.
Where is Shrubby Cinquefoil most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Utah, Vermont.