| Description | 'TerraCotta' Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial with flat-topped flower heads that change color as the flowers mature, changing from peach to orange/yellow to russet. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (ak-i-LEE-ah)(mil-lee-FO-le-um) |
| Plant Type | Perennials Hardy |
| Hardiness Zone | 4-8 |
| Sunlight | full sun |
| Moisture | average, tolerates dry, aggressive spreader in moist |
| Soil & Site | average, avoid over fertile soils |
| Flowers | a flat terminal corymb of tiny 1/4" flowers, colors: peach, yellow, orange, and burnt orange |
| Leaves | dark green, finely divided, giving them a fern-like texture, aromatic, larger basal leaves have long petioles, and the smaller upper leaves are sessile |
| Stems | spreads by rhizoms (rhizomatous) and can be agressive |
| Roots | fibrous |
| Dimensions | 24 plus inches, spreads just about forever |
| Maintenance | After flowering, shear back the plants, and they will form a dense mat of foliage. Remove some healthier outside clumps and replant if they start dying out in the center. May need to control the spread by removing plants on the outer edge. |
| Propagation | easy by division |
| Native Site | The species plant Common Yarrow (Achillea milefolium) is native to Europe and Western Asia and considered to be a weed in many areas. |
| Cultivar Origin | An introduction of Ernest Page from Germany. |
| Misc Facts | The species plants have been in cultivation prior to 1440 and used as a herbal remedy for many aliments. The Greek name honors Achilles a warrior of the Trojan wars. |
| Author's Notes | I have grown many different varieties of Achillea millefolium. There seems to be a few secrets to successfully growing them. Avoid rich, moist, poorly drained soils and plant in a full sun site. Also cut back hard after the bloom fades. |
| Notes & Reference | #04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage), #40-Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (Steven Stills), #274-Site Authors' observations and growing experiences |
Cart
