Achillea fillipendulina Cloth of Gold - Yarrow

Achillea filipendulina Cloth of Gold is an impressive yarrow, a large relative of the common yarrow, with deep golden yellow summer flowers. As summer reaches its peak, its large slightly bell-shaped flower heads tower over a beautiful clump of light green and fresh leaves, defying the heat. Vigorous, evergreen, and hardy, this water-efficient perennial plant is stunning in a wild or drought-tolerant garden. Simply provide it with well-drained, moist, or even dry soil in summer, and a very sunny location. This elegant plant also works well in both dry and fresh flower arrangements.

Achillea filipendulina, also known as Yarrow, is a rhizomatous perennial plant belonging to the aster family. Its distribution area extends over a wide range in central and southwestern Asia (Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Caucasus). This highly adaptable species is also naturalised in Europe and North America.

The 'Cloth of Gold' cultivar quickly reaches a height of 1m (3ft) to 1.20m (4ft) in flower by the second year of cultivation, spreading through its trailing stump over 60cm (24in) and more. The flower is a slightly bell-shaped corymb, measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter. The long and highly nectar-rich flowering period lasts from July to September. The flowers are actually complex heads, composed of tiny globular corymbs juxtaposed to each other, giving the whole a lumpy appearance. These heads, which appear at the tops of very rigid stems, are a bright gold yellow, almost 'flashy', turning to golden bronze. The flowers give rise to fruits called achenes. The stem is angular, channelled, and villous. The foliage is semi-evergreen to evergreen, rough and pubescent, aromatic and intensely lobed into fine strips. The leaves are bipinnately lobed, feathery, and fairly light and vibrant green.

All yarrows love the sun and are excellent in terms of hardiness. The 'Cloth of Gold' yarrow will fits well in a wildflower meadow, a large rockery, or on a slope where it will help stabilize and protect against erosion. It pairs well with sun-loving perennials, as well as with red or bright blue flowers found in crocosmias, bellflowers, asters, ground-cover roses, and perennial delphiniums. In dry soil, it can be accompanied by Echinaceas, Verbena Buenos Aires, shrubby salvias, Gaura, Caryopteris, or even 'Valerie Finnis' wormwood and tall thistles. Once established, it is a highly drought-resistant plant, making it a great match for lavender and rosemary in rocky soil. This plant easily attracts aphids, so much so that it is known in organic gardening to prevent or deter other plants from being invaded by insects.

According to Pliny, a Roman naturalist from the first century AD, its name comes from Achilles, a hero from Greek mythology, who used it to heal wounds. Achilles reportedly discovered the healing power of this plant during the Trojan War, when he treated a wound following the advice of Venus.
In fact, the plant has recognised medicinal properties: it is hemostatic, the leaves promote healing, and the flowers have a stimulating, toning, and febrifuge action when concentrated. Its young shoots can be used in omelettes or salads.