Question
Last summer I paid big bucks for Potentilla fruticosa 'Pink Beauty'.  I specifically wanted pink.  I amended the planting hole with compost and used a little alfalfa meal in the hole.  The plant has done well, grown considerably.  It is getting plenty of water during this dry period.  The flowers are now all white.  There are a few white flowers with just the slightest tinge of pink.  This is a Monrovia plant.  Is this reversion?  What can I do to make it pink.  I paid $25.00 for this plant and am pretty annoyed.  Thanks for any info you can offer.

Answer
Hi Florence,
Thanx for your question.  Potentillas are one of those plants that are very hardy in the cooler parts of the USA and Canada.  They are rated hardy from zones 2-7.  Anything from zone 7 and above is too warm for the plant.  If you live in an area that has bitterly cold winters, but relatively warm summers, you can count on the pink and red versions of potentilla flowers to fade.  The warmth makes them fade.  If you're experiencing a warmer spring, I can guarantee you the blooms will fade because of that.  One thing you can do is move it to a place where it gets some protection from full afternoon sun and mulch around the the plant to keep the soil temperature cooler.  I hope this helps.
Tom