Achillea millefolium Terracotta

The Achene millefolium 'Terracotta' is a stoloniferous perennial hybrid (with stolons: creeping stems forming a new plant). It has a bushy habit. Vigorous, the Achene flowers between June and September. It has a beautiful inflorescence that starts off orange and turns cream-coloured. This change in colour gives the plant a unique effect. The flowers are grouped in umbels that form a flattened corymb. These umbels are borne on hairy stems. The flowers produce fruits called achenes.

The deciduous grey-green foliage creates a beautiful contrast with the orange flowers. It is light foliage, deeply divided and quite dense. At maturity, the plant reaches a height of 75 cm (30in). It thrives in rock gardens or as a border plant. Its flowers also make lovely fresh or dried bouquets.

The Achillea 'Terracotta' is a melliferous plant, meaning it contains substances collected by pollinating insects or some birds that transform into honey. Moreover, it attracts butterflies. It pairs well with Hemerocallis, Kniphofias, Nepetas, and Scabiosas. It was bred by Ernst Pagels. The healing power of this Achillea is said to have been discovered by Achilles during the Trojan War to heal a wound, following the advice of Venus. The plant has hemostatic properties (stops bleeding), and its leaves have healing properties while its flowers have a febrifugal effect (combat fever).