I also planted Maltese Cross, and had read that it blooms the first year, even though the new plants are smaller the first year than they will be in their second year. I've got about 10 HOS outside in various parts of my beds right now. Fingers crossed! They sure look lovely in pics...

Yes, it was Vera's pictures that inspired me to sow them. I'm just trying to decide where to plant. If it blooms in the first year, I'll plant it in the front yard.

Anyone know when to expect blooms on second year potentilla? I read that it starts early summer, is this right?

Karen

I winter sowed Maltese Cross last year and it started blooming in June. They are taller this year.

dem_pa

My maltese cross did not bloom the first year (last year) - in fact they hardly grew at all but then we had an extreme drought so that could have been a major part of the problem. The plants look nice and healthy this spring - I am hoping to see something later this year....

Lynne

Yes like dem_paw's mine started blooming in June as well.
Last year they grew to about 2.5'.... maybe a little more, but I think that might be their mature height. I have them planted in the middle of the beds.
I'm pretty sure I cutback for re-bloom; they do bloom for quite awhile tho!! Actually there isn't much I don't deadhead/cutback; just a little manic I am LOL!

Vera

Thanks, everyone. It was your pictures, Vera, that inspired me to plant them. I never have original thoughts on what to sow, what to plant together- I get inspiration from everyone elses photos.

No reports on bloom time for second year potentilla?

Karen

This makes me so sad because I wintersowed two big trays of maltese cross, and non of them made it. I bought several plants three years ago, but they have just sat there. Never bloomed.
What am I doing wrong????

Sorry to interrupt your post, but I noticed maltese cross in the title and I was just on the Name That Plant forum and they Identified the following photo as Maltese Cross. I just thought I would see how it compared to your seedlings..hope you don't mind. Does this look like your maltese cross plants?

Thanks...pm2

{{gwi:223286}}

Hard to tell- mine are so tiny.

Karen

Karen, I am sorry, I should have posted a separate thread, which I will do. Thanks any way! :-)

pm2

Oh, I don't mind at all. But mine are really small and don't have that purple/red on the undersides of the leaves. Are they supposed to? Or are mine too small to show it?

Tried to take a few pics this morning but my camera batteries as soon as I started. Will try again later after the batteries recharge, if it's not raining.

Karen

I wintersowed both Maltese Cross and Melton Fire Potentilla. The Maltese Cross are into their third year and have never bloomed (sigh). The first year they probably didn't get more than 2" tall. The second year, not much larger. This year, they're already 4" tall, so here's hoping.

The potentiall was ws'd last year and did not bloom. They are huge, healthy, happy right now, but no blooms so far this year.

Pm2...no that is NOT Maltese Cross. Mine are mature plants and are green throughout. Plus it does not have pubescent leaf surfaces...there are only slight hairs on the margins (if you look hard enough) and on the underside midrib. Can't wait to see what it does...might be a cool plant :D

Vera