McKay's White Potentilla
McKay's White Potentilla
A Tough Little Shrub With Creamy-White Summer Flowers
McKay's White Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White') brings soft, creamy-white flowers to the bulletproof potentilla, blooming from early summer until frost on a compact, mounded shrub. Its clean white color blends with any scheme. Extremely cold-hardy, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, it's a reliable, long-blooming choice for sunny borders, foundations, and boulevards in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
McKay's White Potentilla Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Potentilla fruticosa 'McKay's White' |
| Mature Size | 2–3 ft. tall, 2–3 ft. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun to light part shade |
| Bloom Time | Early summer until frost |
| Flower Color | Creamy white |
| Soil | Adaptable — tolerates clay, poor soil, and dry sites |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable well below -40°F — exceptionally hardy |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Long-blooming foundation shrub: Its compact size and months-long bloom suit foundations, low hedges, and border fronts. Space 2–3 feet apart.
Tough sites and pollinators: Thrives in hot, dry, lean spots and feeds bees all summer. Pair with catmint, coneflower, and grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall (late August–mid September). Very adaptable; water through establishment.
How to Plant McKay's White Potentilla
Dig a hole twice the root ball width at the same depth, mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water well, and mulch 2–3 inches deep. Space 2–3 feet apart.
Watering McKay's White Potentilla
First year: Water deeply every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Very drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. Shear lightly in spring to keep it dense.
Q: How long does it bloom?
From early summer until frost — one of the longest-flowering shrubs you can grow.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — reliable to zone 2.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer rarely browse potentilla.
Q: How do I keep it looking good?
A light spring shear keeps it dense and blooming well.
You May Also Like
Abbotswood Potentilla (Potentilla fruticosa): Another clean white-flowered potentilla.
Catmint (Nepeta): A deer-resistant blue partner for sunny spots.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator companion.