Review rated by 11 Ciao members on average: helpful
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The common name for Achillea is yarrow or milfoil. The wild variety was once known as 'nosebleed' as it's feathery foliage was used as an astringent swab to encourage clotting. Legend has it that it got the name Achillea from the Greek hero Achilles who supposedly used the plant for treating wounds. It is still used today in many herbal preparations.
Revelling in full sun these hardy trouble-free herbaceous perennials make an ideal mainstay to a border for much of the summer and into early autumn.
Upright stems hold the flowers well above the fern-like foliage. The flower heads are made up of small individual blooms tightly massed into a flat topped cluster from 4 to 6 inches across depending on variety. Colours range from white right through to bright crimson although the most popular colour does seem to be the original bright gold. Good varieties include 'Cerise Queen' at about 3' high in light crimson. 'Cloth of Gold' a really deep gold at approx 3' and one thats not quite so easy to come by 'Grandifolia' which has white flowers and evergreen foliage. There are also many Hybrid varieties available nowadays and the 'Galaxy Hybrids' are particularly well coloured. Look around your local garden centre or nurseryto see what is available. You can normally expect to pay about £3.50 to £5.00 for a good sized plant.
Achillea is very easy to grow requiring little attention . It will tolerate most soil types but does best in a well drained sunny site. The Taller species and cultivars may need some support in exposed areas but other than that they do seem to be very disease resistant. Plants need to lifted and divided every 3 to 4 years if they start to outgrow the space alloted to them.
The taller varieties make excellent long lasting cut flowers. Cut in their prime and hung up to dry they also keep their colour extremely well making them ideal for dried flower arrangements.
One final point....These plants are really good for attracting insects into the garden especially butterflies and bees
Achillea is really easy to grow from seed, and the seeds are usually quite cheap too. I have some lovely rosy-pink achillea I grew from seed and it's just gone mad in my garden!
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19.03.2003 10:48
Achillea is really easy to grow from seed, and the seeds are usually quite cheap too. I have some lovely rosy-pink achillea I grew from seed and it's just gone mad in my garden!