Comprehensive Guide to Growing Yarrow (Achillea)

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Named for Achilles, who reportedly used this treatment for his wounds (Compositae). Composed of hardy perennial plants like yarrow and milfoil. Great additions to borders or rock gardens.

Border Achilles filipendulina, commonly grown today, produces large plate-like heads of yellow flowers in summer; popular cultivars include “Gold Plate,” at 4-5 feet; “Flowers of Sulfur,” 2 feet high with soft sulfur yellow blooms and powdered leaves; and ‘Canary Bird,” 1 to 2 feet.
Achilles millefolium is an Achilles species native to South Africa that produces Old Man’s Pepper; three cultivars stand out: Cerise Queen (2 feet tall and with rose-cerise blooms in July on a loose head); Crimson Beauty 24 feet high; and Fire King at 2-2.5 feet, possibly being the best variety available.
Achilles ptarmica (sneeze-wort), 2 feet high and with white flowers that bloom all summer long. There are various excellent cultivars of Achilles ptarmica; The Pearl stands out with small tightly double blooms on two feet tall stalks – this variety being my personal favourite.
Ashleis sibirica 1 feet with White Flowers that bloom for 2-3 feet heights such as Perry’s White variety or Rock Garden Yarrows
Achilles ageratifolia stands 4 inches with grey-white leaves and white flowers on 4 inch stems, and its leaves measure 4 inches wide by 4 inches wide. While Achilleschrysocoma features mats of grey leaves with yellow flowers on short 6-inch stems. And finally Achilles huteri can be found with short stemmed, silvery tufts with short flower stalks bearing white blossoms – each specimen stands alone!
Achilles King Edward (syn. A. x lewsii), with its grey-green mats and yellow flowers throughout summer months. In addition, there is Achilles portae which grows 4 inches with grey leaves and white flowers and Achilles prichardii, also 4 inches but featuring grey mats with white flowers; also Achilles rupestris with its creeping foliage that produces sprays of white flowers in May.
Achilles tomentosa has 9-inch leaves that are grey in colour with golden yellow flowers; requires protection from winter damp; its variant, Var. aurea produces deeper yellow blooms.
Where Can I Plant and Grow Yarrow
Achilleas thrive in almost any soil as long as it’s not too sour or waterlogged, and thrive under sunlight. While their ideal pH range would be limey conditions, they also tolerate acid conditions well. These flowers feature small or double daisy-like blooms gathered into loose clusters or flat heads and bloom during summer. Their foliage resembles that of ferns while their stems remain stiff and unbreakable – not to mention the strong fragrance they exude. Some varieties are recommended for winter arrangements of dried flowers, with A. filipendula *Gold Plate’ being the ideal variety to store powdered alum until completely dry in order to retain all their vibrant hue. Sow seed 1/2 inch deep early summer. Border varieties should be lifted and divided every three or four years and their shoots cut down in winter.

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