Achillea ptarmica Double Diamond - Yarrow

Achillea millefolium Ptarmica Double Diamond, also known as yarrow, produces bushy and compact plants, disappearing all summer under dazzling white panicles, formed by small double pompom flowers.  Yarrow flowers from the first year, on a plant of modest size, and becomes full size in second year of cultivation. Hardy, undemanding, resistant to drought, it remains an ideal perennial in flower beds or as a groundcover. This elegant plant also works wonders in dried or fresh flower arrangements.

Achillea millefolium Ptarmica Double Diamond is a perennial stoloniferous plant, with a compact and upright tufted habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is one of the many cultivars of Achillea millefolium native to Europe and Asia Minor. The year following its sowing, the plant already flowers, on tufts not exceeding 30 cm (12in) in height. It will reach its full size in the second year of cultivation, forming bushy plants 80 cm (32in) tall when in bloom, with foliage ranging from 30 to 430 cm (12 to 169in). It spreads over 60 cm (24in) and more. The very abundant flowering occurs from June to August. The flowers are actually heads, with tubular disk florets in the central part, while the peripheral florets are ligulate. These heads, resembling tiny white pompoms, appear at the tops of the stems, forming flat or slightly rounded corymbs, highly visited by pollinating insects. They give rise to fruits called achenes. The stem is channelled and villous. The foliage is deciduous or semi-evergreen, aromatic, and finely divided into strips. The leaves are bipinnately lobed, feathery, and dark green in colour, with a matte texture. The plant spreads on the surface of the soil through stolons, allowing it to colonise large areas.

Achillea millefolium Ptarmica Double Diamond will integrate well in a rockery, on top of a wall, as a border, or on a slope where it will contribute to stabilizing and protecting against erosion. This stoloniferous plant can be used as groundcover over large areas, allowing you to avoid the necessary mowing for a lawn by replacing it in low-traffic areas. It tolerates root competition from trees, making it a good groundcover on the edge of woodlands. As it is easy to cultivate and withstands drought well, it is perfect for dressing the base of shrub roses or bordering a sunny flower bed.