Achillea millefolium Pomegranate

Achillea millefolium 'Pomegranate' is a new selection of channelled yarrow appreciated for its dense and vigorous growth. Exceptionally heat resistant, it remains impeccable in all conditions and emits a spicy fragrance. It has a long and abundant flowering period, carefree, highly ornamental, perfect for quickly covering slopes and borders. Exuberant and undemanding, the deep garnet red of 'Pomegranate' adds a nostalgic charm to unpretentious flowerbeds. Resistant and easy to grow in all regions.

Yarrow is a perennial stoloniferous plant native to Europe and Asia Minor that belongs to the asteraceae family. Starting in spring, 'Pomegranate' develops a compact and upright tuft that will reach a height of 70 cm (28in) when in bloom, 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12in) for the foliage. It spreads over 60 cm (24in) and more. The inflorescence is a slightly rounded, flattened corymb, with a diameter of 10 cm (4in), composed of numerous small intensely garnet-coloured heads. The remarkably long flowering period extends from July to October. The stem is channelled and villous, and the aromatic foliage is finely dissected into strips. The leaves are feathery and dark grey-green, with a matte appearance. It spreads on the surface of the soil through stolons, allowing it to colonise large areas.

Perennial, hardy, and undemanding, 'Pomegranate' yarrow will integrate well in a rock garden, on top of a wall, as a border or on a slope where it will help fix and protect against erosion. This stoloniferous plant tolerates root competition from trees and can be used as a ground cover over large areas. It can replace the need for mowing a lawn in areas with light foot traffic. Easy to grow and drought-tolerant, consider using it to dress the base of shrub roses or to edge a sunny flowerbed.

The plant has recognized medicinal properties: it is hemostatic, the leaves have healing properties, and the flowers have a stimulating, tonic action and, in high concentrations, febrifuge properties.