Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' – Compact Colour, All Summer Long
A cheerful and compact deciduous shrub, Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' offers a long-lasting display of vibrant, red-orange blooms from late spring well into autumn. Its mounded form and fine-textured foliage make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance borders, front-of-house planting, or container displays. Durable and drought-tolerant once established, 'Red Ace' brings reliable colour and structure to both formal and informal garden spaces.
Seasonal Highlights
Late Spring to Early Summer: The first wave of warm red flowers opens against tidy, grey-green foliage.
Mid to Late Summer: Blooms intensify, covering the plant in a carpet of colour that thrives even in heat or dry conditions.
Autumn: Flowering continues until the first frosts, with foliage gradually turning golden before dropping.
Winter: Deciduous, with a compact, twiggy form that holds shape and structure through the dormant season.
Key Features
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Compact and rounded – Grows to a neat mound, ideal for edging or low hedges.
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Bright red-orange flowers – Each five-petalled bloom offers a pop of warm colour over a long season.
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Tough and hardy – Tolerates wind, poor soils, and drought once established.
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Extended flowering period – Blooms generously from late spring through to autumn.
Perfect For
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Front-of-border planting – Adds colour and structure without overwhelming surrounding plants.
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Low hedging or edging – Naturally neat habit makes it perfect for defining paths or beds.
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Rockeries and gravel gardens – Thrives in well-drained, sunny locations.
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Containers and small spaces – Compact enough for pots and patios, with months of bloom.
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Low-maintenance gardens – Ideal for those seeking reliable performance with minimal input.
Growing Tips
Sun/Position: Full sun is best for strong flowering and compact growth.
Soil: Prefers free-draining soils, tolerates poorer soils and dry conditions well.
Hardiness: Fully hardy across the UK; survives tough winters with ease.
Care: Little pruning required—just a light trim in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage fresh growth. Deadhead to prolong flowering, though not essential.
Looks Great With
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Lavender or Salvia – Complements warm tones with contrasting purple spires.
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Heuchera or Sedum – Offers texture and foliage contrast in mixed beds.
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Grasses like Festuca or Carex – Adds softness and movement.
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Other Potentilla varieties – Combine with yellow or white cultivars for a cheerful mixed planting.
Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace' is a garden workhorse—colourful, compact, and undemanding. Its blazing red flowers and tidy form make it a perfect pick for gardeners who value long-lasting impact with very little fuss.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
