Achillea millefolium Wesersandstein

The 'Wesersandstein' yarrow is a vigorous perennial, well-branched and with the particularity of having a very long summer flowering period with evolving colours. Its numerous flat umbels open in salmon pink and finish in coppery sand, carried by long sturdy stems above a tuft of beautiful channelled, feathery, aromatic, dark green leaves. Like most yarrows, it is exceptionally heat resistant and remains impeccable in all conditions. Exuberant and undemanding, this favorite of cottage gardens brings a nostalgic charm to unpretentious flower beds. It is a perennial plant for borders, hardy and easy to grow in all regions.

The yarrow is a stoloniferous perennial plant native to Europe and Asia Minor that belongs to the asteraceae family. 'Wesersandstein' develops a tuft of feathery, matte leaves starting from spring, reaching a height of 80 cm (32in) when in bloom. It spreads over 60 cm (24in). The stem is channelled and villous, and the foliage, aromatic, is finely cut into strips. The inflorescence is a slightly convex flat corymb, composed of numerous small heads. By regularly removing faded inflorescences, the very perpetual flowering lasts from June to October. The yarrow prefers full sun and dry to moist, well-drained soils. It remarkably tolerates limestone soils, dry soils in summer, and can also tolerate partial shade.

As a perennial, hardy and undemanding plant, the 'Wesersandstein' yarrow integrates well into a dry meadow scene in combination with pennisetums, blue asters, lavender, and salmon pink echinaceas. Easy to grow and tolerant to drought, consider using it to dress the base of bushes or to border a sunny flower bed. In a warm-coloured flower bed, consider associating it with airy grasses and upright perennials such as kniphofias, Buenos Aires verbenas, rusty foxgloves, and phygelius 'African Queen' that will enhance the horizontality of its umbels.

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