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Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold' (Achillea)

History

This plant was thought to have been named by Linnaeus, the 18th Century naturalist who used the great warrior of Homer's Iliad; Achilles. The legend tells that Achilles' troops carried achillea into battle with them because the foliage when packed into a wound is supposed to stem the flow of blood.

Originates from grasslands of the Northern hemisphere.

Planting

Can be planted at any point in the year. Water well before planting. Dig a hole loosening the soil with a fork, especially at the bottom. Place the plant in the hole so that the compost is at the same level as the surrounding soil. Fill in around the plant with loose soil and firm in the roots to secure the plant. Water again after planting.

Heavier clay soils should be loosened with grit and organic matter.

Propagation

Dividing the rootball in autumn or spring.

From seed - seeds can be grown in winter under cover in a cold greenhouse or coldframe. Or indoors in early spring and then directly into the ground after the last frosts have passed.

Self seeds quite freely on its own but you can also allow seedheads to dry on the plant, remove and collect seed, clean it and store for future use.

Cultivation

Will tolerate most soils and conditions but grows best in moist, well drained soil in an open site in full sun. Can be drought tolerant.

Aftercare

A reasonably easy plant to grow, requiring little attention, although it will need supporting before the flowerheads appear. Application of an annual dressing with a general fertiliser once a year is sufficient feed to keep the plant healthy. Dead heading will prolong flowering through the summer season. Seedheads should be removed if new seedlings are not required next season. Cut back the plant in autumn

Pests

Mainly trouble free but can suffer from aphids

Diseases

Trouble free

Other information

This is one of the taller Achilleas and is a plant that is attractive to bees and butterflies. Excellent as fresh cut flowers or dried. The foliage has a spicy odour when crushed.

Height/Spread

This is one of the biggest achilleas, with flat plate like heads of mustard yellow flowers held on tall ferny foliage beneath and will need space to spread out.

Annual care

March

Divide mature plants for propagation

April

Apply a general fertiliser at the base of the plant

June

Stake the plant before flowerheads appear to avoid the stems getting damaged and falling over in wet weather.

July

Dead head to prolong flowering (Jul-Sept)

October

Cut back in Autumn once flowering has ended. Handle the floliage with care as this can irritate the skin.

Plant name

Achillea

Latin name

Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold'

Common name

Fern Leaf Yarrow 'Cloth of Gold'

Genus

Achillea

Flower colour

Mustard Yellow

Foliage colour

Light Green

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Soil type

any

Soil PH

any

Moisture

Moist Well Drained

Aspect

Full Sun

Hardiness

H (Fully Hardy) to -15°C

Leaf type

Herbaceous

Life cycle

Herbaceous Perennial

Aspect

Normal

Min height

130 cm

Max height

150 cm

Min spread

35 cm

Max spread

45 cm