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Achillea:

Pictured right are large drifts of Achillea "Forncett Fletton", Helenium "Moerheim Beauty" and tall stems of Cirsium rivulare "Atropurureum" at the rear. 

Very useful additions to the border, generally having flat heads of flowers in a range of shades. The flower heads are long lasting and attract hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Foliage is ferny and attractive - sometimes silver or woolly white. 

Heights vary depending on variety from 45cm (18") to 200cm (6ft). Please note that growing conditions will greatly influence eventual height. We have found that plants get taller in their second year if not divided and replanted each spring - a practice we now follow in early May. Alternatively practice the Chelsea Chop - cut plants back by about 6in in late May.

They are hardy and drought tolerant, preferring free-draining soil in sun or part sun. Generally pest and disease free, the only pest likely to bother them is greenfly in hot dry weather - rub off the little blighters by running your finger and thumb along the affected stems. 

Deadheading will result in more flowers. The flowering periods below cover the repeated flushes of flower - don't expect them to be constantly in flower all through the summer! Most varieties gradually fade in colour after opening giving a pleasing harmonious effect. Fade resistant types more or less keep their colour until the flower head dies.  In heavy soils cut flowering stems off at ground level in late September / early October to allow the plants to bulk up at the base and thereby get through the winter more easily. Read more about winter care in our garden diary for October 2010.

Members of the Asteraceae family. If you look at a single flower closely you can see the family resemblance. 

Easily divided by digging up and pulling off rooted plantlets. The millefolium and ptarmica varieties spread by underground stems. Plants can be raised from seed but they won't be like their parents and we have found that plants from commercial seed are all different heights and usually very floppy.

The scientific name Achillea is for the Greek mythological character Achilles. According to the Iliad, Achilles' soldiers used yarrow to treat wounds hence the common names "All Heal" and "Bloodwort". The specific name, millefolium, literally names "thousand leaf" referring to the fern-like divided leaves.

This one has plant varietal rights so we have to buy in young plantlets rather than propagate them ourselves. So when they're gone, they're gone!

Achillea Credo  Shining lemon yellow, long lasting flowers over a long season. Just a slight hint of pink in the florets in very hot weather. Stems 2ft 6in - 3ft tall.  RHS Award of Garden Merit.

This plant was one of the most admired in our garden this summer (2011) especially in combination with Helenium Sophie.

Photo: Achillea Credo in our garden 7th August © 2011 SpecialPerennials.com. 

Achillea filipendulina Cloth of Gold

Long flowering, tall yellow variety getting to 4-5ft. The leaves are large and grey-green.  Flowers open in early June and don't really fade until late September or beyond. Needs some staking - we use a couple of canes and a corral of string around our large clump.  RHS Award of Garden Merit

Perfect Partners: 16^th July Achillea Cloth of Gold in our garden with Centaurea macrocephala.

Achillea Hoffnung 

Also known as "Great Expectations". A really delicate colour starting a sandy shell pink (if that makes sense) and maturing to a soft pinkish yellow. Average Height: 1ft 6in - 2ft tall. Flowering Time: Jun-Oct.

Perfect Partners: Looks stunning with Heuchera Caramel (you can just see the leaves in the bottom left corner of the photo). 

Achillea McVites

Wheaten coloured flowers blend well with yellows, creams, oranges etc. Short plants about 2ft / 60cm high. Flowers from June onwards.

Originated as a seedling of Achillea Credo. 

Achillea millefolium Lilac Beauty 

Pale lilac. 2ft 6in tall.  Flowering Time: Jun-Aug.

Perfect Partners: 1st July, Achillea Lilac Beauty in our garden under-planted with Allium sphaerocephalon that is thrusting through the Achillea and will soon be in bloom with a rich maroon head of flower. But even in bud the Allium creates an attractive contrast of shape with the Achillea. Both like a well-drained sunny spot.

Achillea millefolium Serenade 

 Lilac pink flowers.  Average Height: 2ft 6in / 75cm Flowering Time: Jun-Sep.

Achillea Moonshine 

Luminous yellow flowers and soft silver-grey foliage. 2ft / 60cm tall. Flowers May to August. 

A hybrid between AA. clypeolata and taygetea raised and introduced by Alan Bloom.

Alan tells the story of this plant in his book on perennials. Apparently it nearly ended up on the compost heap as after failing to flower in the shade of a fruit tree but when given a second chance and move to a sunny spot......

RHS Award of Garden Merit

Achillea Sally

Strong pink flowers on short stocky plants (1ft 6in / 45cm tall). Flowers from June to October.

Achillea Terracotta 

Flowers open a warm orange and fade to terracotta. Height: 3ft / 90cm in good soil, less in tired or poor soil. 

Goes well with Kniphofia and most tawny leaved grasses. Flowering Time: Jun-Oct.

Achillea Tissington Old Rose

Antique rose -opening with salmon tints and maturing to rose. Average Height: 2ft 6in / 75cm Flowering Time: Jun-Oct.

Achillea Walther Funcke 

Invaluable in our garden as the deep warm orange tones well with other hot colours and takes the edge off of strong reds. Average Height: 2ft 6in / 75cm Flowering Time: Jun-Oct.

Perfect Partners: Achillea Walther Funcke (foreground) complements this planting of warm colours in our garden in July. Helenium Moerheim Beauty picks up and strengthens the red tones, whereas Hemerocallis Golden Ginkgo and Gaillardia Oranges and Lemons add a fresh zestiness to the planting. © 2008 SpecialPerennials.com all rights reserved