Description
Achillea – Yarrow – Milfoil – Sneezwort
They’re 85 species in this genus from Europe and Asia with few from North America. Named after Archilles who in Greek mythology used it to heal wounds. These deciduous, evergreen perennials with 2-12” long fern-feather like gray or green foliage, which are aromatic and often covered with fine hairs. Bears masses of daisy like flowers 1/8”-1/2” branching off a single stem growing to an equal length to form a flat top of a head. Normally blooms in late spring to autumn. Great in rock gardens or as a massed border, or even as cut or dried flowers. If brushed up against it may irritate skin allergies.
Most will tolerant a wide range of soils but will thrive in and conditions. Thrives in moist but well drained soil. Hybrids have been cultivated to fit poor drained shaded areas. They spread by sending out shoots above or under ground roots that send up erect shoots that can be cut to create a separate plant.
Prone to aphids, powdery mildew, and rust and other foliar diseases caused by fungi occur.
Achillea ‘Hoffnung’ – ‘Great Expectation’ – A compact variety 30” inches tall and 24” inches wide is relatively compact with mid green feathery leaves. In summer it bears a flat top of tiny flowers group together of 4-5” across of cream with disc florets that darken with age.
Zones 3-1
