Achillea millefolium Terracotta

Name: Achillea millefolium Terracotta – Achillée orange cuivre
Brand: plant d'Avenir
SKU: pda274
Price: 4.9 EUR
Availability: InStock

€4,90

Achillea millefolium Terracotta is a striking perennial plant known for its beautiful clusters of long-lasting flowers that shift in color from bright orange to soft terracotta tones as they age.

The green, finely cut, aromatic foliage forms a compact clump with a light and feathery silhouette, fitting well in more rustic prairie-type settings as well as among more robust and voluminous perennials in a sunny flower bed.

The flowers of this variety are prized for their long bloom period and shift in color from bright orange to soft terracotta tones over the summer.

Fun Fact:

While the exact origin of 'Terracotta' is not well-documented, it is widely believed to have been developed in Europe, likely in the Netherlands, given the naming conventions and the presence of similar cultivars from Dutch breeders.

This cultivar is part of the Desert Eve series, a group of hybrids bred for their compact size, long flowering period, and attractive, earth-toned blooms.

Flowering	June, July, August, September
Flower Color	Orange
Exposure	Full Sun
Frost Tolerance	-37°C
Size	Outdoors, 75cm H x 60cm W
Soil	Well Draining, Poor, Dry
Origin	Europe

pda274

€4,90

In stock

🪴9x9 cm

🚂 Ships across EU
🌱 Grown in our nursery

💦 High drought tolerance once established: Hairy, silvery leaves reduce water loss and help the plant survive dry conditions.
☀️ Sun-loving: Performs best in full sun but tolerates partial shade.
👍 Low-maintenance: Aromatic foliage deters some pests, and the plant requires minimal care.
🌸 Long flowering period: Ensures continuous visual impact and nectar supply for several weeks.
💪 Self-supporting, compact habit: Ideal for front-of-border planting, rockeries, and container use.

Yarrow is extremely drought- and limestone-tolerant, it really only struggles in heavy, wet soils; keep it well draining!

Yarrow has a well-developed fibrous root system and prostrate stems that root at the nodes and become far creeping stolons; this means that it can colonize an area quite quickly, creating a beautiful ground cover and interesting alternative lawn choice.

The plant has branched rhizomes that generally remain in the top 10 cm of soil; this allows for it to be tamed if ever the colonization is getting out of hand.

These Crowned yarrows are prized for its drought tolerance, low maintenance, and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
And they look amazing in bouquets or dried flower arrangements.

Floral Morphology

The flowers of Achillea millefolium are arranged in flat-topped umbels, forming striking golden clusters at the ends of erect stems.

Each tiny flower is actinomorphic with five petals, and together they create a dense, cloud-like floral display.

The finely divided, fern-like leaves are alternate and aromatic, giving a soft texture that contrasts beautifully with coarser garden plants.

When touched, the foliage emits a mild herbal scent, adding both tactile and olfactory interest to the garden.

Reproductive Biology

Achillea millefolium is hermaphroditic, capable of self-pollination, though cross-pollination by bees, butterflies, and hoverflies is preferred.

Flowering occurs from late spring into midsummer, and deadheading can prolong bloom slightly.

Fruits are small achenes that may self-seed under optimal conditions, allowing the plant to slowly naturalize in sunny, well-drained sites.

The combination of bright flowers and aromatic foliage makes this Achillea highly attractive to pollinators, enhancing the ecological value of garden plantings.

Ecology & Adaptations

Achillea millefolium thrives in temperate and Mediterranean-style gardens, particularly in:

Borders and rockeries: Forms dense mats of aromatic foliage and radiant golden flowers, filling gaps and adding visual interest.
Pollinator-friendly beds: Flowers provide abundant nectar for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.
Sunny, well-drained sites: Full sun encourages prolific flowering and keeps the plant compact, even in poor soils.

It was named after Achilles who used it to bind the wounds of his men at the Battle of Troy as the leaves have astringent properties.

Yarrow has been found with Neanderthal burials, suggesting its association with human species dates to at least 60,000 years ago.

It has been used since ancient times to heal wounds and stop bleeding, and in the sixteenth century the crushed leaves were used to stop nosebleeds.

The Miwok in California used the plant as an analgesic and head cold remedy.

The plant contains a uniquely blue essential oil - today it is used widely for medicinal purposes, for happiness creation, for face masks, for hydration, for chasing away sadness... there is lots of research, just make sure to double check the sources!

Yarrow tea has and can be used as a sedative or relaxant to reduce anxiety and stress - it is a bit bitter though, so it isn't for everyone :)