In colonial times, it was common for American settlers to dry and grind the roots of Achillea ptarmica to make homemade snuff. 'Boule de Neige' is a double form of the species and has pretty, pure white, half inch flowers carried in loose corymbs. Its dark green, linear leaves are finely toothed and simple and they and the flowerheads grow on stalks up to eighteen inches tall. It is excellent for cutting for the house. Like Achillea millefolium cultivars, it flowers over a long period but it may spread too readily and choke less robust items. The cultivars require more moisture than other achilleas but should not be grown in waterlogged soil or shade.
Propagation: Divide in spring. |
Achillea 'Moonshine' is a clump forming yarrow with pale yellow flowers. It is the perfect choice for an easy to grow, medium sized, yellow flowered perennial to include in a planting scheme or for fresh and dried flower arrangements. It flowers from early summer to early autumn and has pleasing evergreen, feathery grey green foliage. The pinnatifid leaves are linear to lance shaped and the flowerheads are a moon-like colour but with darker disk florets. They are carried in corymbs up to six inches in diameter. Achillea 'Moonshine' grows best in an open site in moist, well drained soil in full sun, but, as with other members of the clan, will tolerate a wide range of soils. It is good to divide the plant regularly to ensure that its vigour does not diminish.
Propagation: Divide in spring. |
The yarrows are useful and uncomplaining plants that are as much at home in rock gardens and wild flower areas as in herbaceous and mixed borders. They will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and come in a pretty selection of colours. 'Sammetriese' has dark green leaves that grow in mats and the typical tiny daisy-like flowers massed in corymbs that are up to eight inches in diameter. The flowers are a dark, rich red but fade to magenta, giving a range of colours in the flowerheads at any one time. The plant will grow up to about 32 inches with a 24 inch spread and likes a moist, but well drained, soil in an open site in full sun.
Propagation: Divide in spring. |
