What type of flowering plant is Potentilla fruticosa?

Potentilla fruticosa is accurately classified as a Shrubby Cinquefoil. This plant is characterized by its woody stems and its growth habit, which typically ranges from a low shrub to a more dense, bush-like form. The foliage consists of compound leaves, and it produces many small, cup-shaped flowers that can be yellow, white, or various shades of red, depending on the cultivar.

This classification emphasizes its perennial nature and shrubby growth form, distinguishing it from herbaceous perennials, which do not have woody stems and die back to the ground in winter. It also differs from deciduous shrubs, as while it does shed its leaves in winter, it is primarily recognized for its shrubby characteristics and flower production throughout the growing season. The option that categorizes it as ground cover is not appropriate since its growth habit does not spread along the ground but rather maintains a more upright, shrub-like form.