Potentilla atrosanguinea, commonly known as Himalayan cinquefoil or ruby cinquefoil, is a vigorous herbaceous perennial of the rose family that typically grows in spreading mounds to 18-30” tall. It is native to mountain slopes at lower elevations in the Himalayas.
Each plant features a clump of long-stalked, palmate, basal leaves, with each leaf being divided into 3 finger-like, long-petioled, oblong-lanceolate, serrate-dentate, glossy dark green leaflets (to 1.5” long) which are white-tomentose below. Five-petaled, rose-like, ruby red flowers (3/4” across) bloom in spring (late April - June) in loose clusters (2-5 flowered apical cymes) which rise above the foliage to 30” tall. Modest repeat bloom in fall may occur.