The Gold Star Potentilla, otherwise known as the Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ or Apricot ‘Blenheim’, Blenheim Apricot, is a rather well known tree plant by gardening enthusiasts around the world.
Best known for its high maintenance and fast growth, this tree will likely liven up your house (or garden) with its green colored leaves. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
Fortunately, taking care of your Gold Star Potentilla is not too difficult – as long as you follow our guidelines in this Gold Star Potentilla Care Guide. Now let’s get started.
In order to take proper care of your Gold Star Potentilla you’ll need to keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Water: The Gold Star Potentilla grows best in soil that is always moist.
- Light: Keep your Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ in an environment where it can receive full sun on a daily basis.
- Soil: Make sure to keep the Gold Star Potentilla in soil with moist but well-draining properties, so ideally, one that is made of sand, chalk, and loam.
That’s it – sunlight, water and soil! The basic 3 fundamentals for all plant care, and with the Gold Star Potentilla this is no exception. With these three elements, your leafy friend will live healthy and happy.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
In botanical terms, the Gold Star Potentilla belongs to the Rosaceae family, the genus Prunus and the species Armeniaca, hence its scientific (or botanical) name Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ (poh-ten-TIL-a froo-ti-KOH-sa).
The Rosaceae family also includes other plants like Burbank Japanese Plum, Prunus Cerasifera ‘Thundercloud’, Prunus Persica Var. Nucipersica ‘Snow Queen’, Rhododendron Yakushimanum ‘Crete’, Rosa ‘Golden Showers’, Large-Flowered Climber, Rosa X ‘New Dawn’, Bridalwreath ‘Pink Ice’, Alchemilla Mollis ‘Thriller’, Weeping Flowering Cherry, Spiraea × arguta ‘Grefsheim’, Malus Domestica ‘Fuji’, Pink Rugosa Rose, Prunus Laurocerasus, Ozark Premier Japanese Plum, Alyssum Serpyllifolium, Red Chokeberry ‘Brilliantissima’, Prostanthera Cuneata ‘Badja Peak’, Chocolate Cosmos, Berri-Magic® Japanese Skimmia, Rosa X ‘Radyod’ Plant Patent #14700, Aronia Arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima’, Cecile Brunner Climbing Rose, Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Monsidh’, Strawberry ‘Berried Treasure Pink’, Carthaginian Apple, Malus X Domestica ‘Red Delicious’, Snow Fountains® Weeping Cherry, Yellow banksia Rose, Baby’s Breath Spirea, Bradford Callery Pear, Dwarf Cherry ‘Meteor’, Golden Delicious Apple, Wall Spray, Magnolia X ‘Daybreak’, Malus Domestica, Flowering Quince and Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’.
As with other Prunus’s, the Gold Star Potentilla is a deciduous plant, which means it will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
Growing Region
The Gold Star Potentilla is a plant native to the Central Asia to Northern & Central China.
Knowing your plant’s native region is very useful, as it can give you tips on which environment is best for your Gold Star Potentilla. If you keep it in mind, you can try to replicate these conditions at home, and you’ll likely end with a healthier plant.
With this in mind, the Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ will be most used to the heat zones in the 2 – 8 region.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Gold Star Potentilla is a relatively fast grower, which makes things tricky for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But, what size of Gold Star Potentilla are we talking about? What can you expect in terms of height, spread and spacing? Let’s dig in…
The Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ can grow up to 10′ – 20′ (3m – 6m) in 10′ – 20′ (3m – 6m) and 10′ – 15′ (3m – 4.5m) in 10′ – 15′ (3m – 4.5m).
Also, expect it to grow in a wonderful rounded shape, which is something worthwhile to remember when making your garden landscape plans.
Water
In terms of watering, the Gold Star Potentilla is a fairly complicated plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a not so straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ grows best in soil that is always moist.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, you should remember to keep your Gold Star Potentilla in soil with moist but well-draining characteristics, as these will guarantee the right conditions for your plant to grow and thrive.
In our experience, the famous ‘thumb’ or ‘finger’ test is what works best for the Gold Star Potentilla since with it, you will be able to give it the right amount of water, every time – regardless of the environment or placement where you do decide to keep it.
Soil Mix
The Gold Star Potentilla’s ideal soil potting mix is made out of sand, chalk, and loam.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably alkaline, acid or neutral soil.
Light and Exposure
In terms of light & exposure, the Gold Star Potentilla requires full sun in order for it to thrive under the right conditions.
Most experts agree that this tree will do well as long as you keep it in full sun, and it will be able to grow properly.
Specifically, we recommend that you place your Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ in
Season
Being a deciduous plant, the Gold Star Potentilla will shed its leaves annually once autumn comes.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (early), and during the summer (early, mid).
Flowers
In particular, this tree is well known for its showy flowers around the plant enthusiast community.
The Gold Star Potentilla produces some beautiful yellow, or pink and white flowers around this time of year.
Foliage
The leaves from the Gold Star Potentilla have a beautiful green color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a simple arrangement with a alternate organization in its leaves.
The Gold Star Potentilla is well known for being able to attract birds, so keep that in mind when choosing your plant, as you’ll likely end up finding one or another in your garden.
Garden
Does your Gold Star Potentilla have any garden recommendations? Does it serve any gardening purposes? Here’s how you can get the most out of your new plant.
Most Potentilla Fruticosa ‘Gold Star’ owners agree that this tree will look great in most cottage and rustic gardens of all types.
In particular, the Gold Star Potentilla’s best use for landscaping within your garden is as rock garden, mass planting, hedge, ground cover, firescaping/fire wise, erosion control, border, or a urban garden.
Companion Plants
Gold Star Potentilla’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Buxus, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice Spiraea will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
So that’s it! These are the main plant care requirements that you need to keep in mind in order to have a healthy Gold Star Potentilla in your garden or home.
