Achillea Coronation Gold

The Achillea 'Coronation Gold' is a medium-sized perennial hybrid resembling its parent, Achillea filipendulina. With rapid growth, its honey-scented flat umbels of bright yellow flowers bloom throughout the summer, from June to September. It contrasts beautifully with its aromatic, gracefully cut silver-green foliage reminiscent of fern leaves. Extremely drought-tolerant and lime-tolerant but does not thrive in heavy and wet soils. Achillea 'Coronation Gold' is a must-have for flower beds and drier, more open areas. It is also attractive for forming alternative lawns due to its rhizomatous tendency.

Derived from a cross between Achillea filipendulina and Achillea clypeolata, 'Coronation Gold' forms a tuft with an upright habit, reaching 80cm (32in) in height and 50cm (20in) in width when mature. Throughout the summer, defying the heat, its large bright yellow flower heads rise above the vigorous and rigid stems of this silvery vegetation. The flower head is a slightly rounded corymb, measuring 10cm (4in) in diameter. The flowers are composed of tiny globular corymbs that are grouped together, giving them a uneven appearance. The foliage is semi-evergreen, downy, aromatic, and deeply cut into fine strips. The leaves are lobed, feathery, and somewhat greyish-green. Hardy and easy to grow, this water-efficient perennial plant is stunning in a wild garden. The flowers can be cut once fully coloured, and they hold up wonderfully in fresh or dried bouquets. Provide it with well-drained, moist or even dry soil in summer and a very sunny exposure. It only fears heavy and wet soils. 

All Achilleas love the sun and have excellent hardiness. Achillea 'Coronation Gold' will blend well in a wild meadow with asters, salvias, and grasses like Stipa tenuissima.

It pairs well with other sun-loving perennials, as well as with vibrant red and blue flowers found in crocosmias, bellflowers, catmints, geraniums, groundcover roses, and perennial delphiniums. In dry soil, it can be accompanied by echinaceas, Buenos Aires verbena, shrubby salvias, Gaura, Caryopteris, or even 'Valerie Finnis' artemisia and tall thistles. Once established, it is highly drought-resistant, allowing it to be combined with lavender, rockroses, salvias, and rosemary in rocky soil.

As per Pliny, a Roman naturalist from the first century AD, the plant's name is derived from Achilles, a hero of Greek mythology, who used it to heal his wounds. The healing properties of this plant were discovered by Achilles during the Trojan War, when he was advised by Venus to treat his wound with it. In reality, the plant has medicinal properties such as hemostatic, which stops bleeding, the leaves have healing properties, and the flowers have a stimulating, tonic, and fever-reducing effect. The young shoots of this plant can also be used in omelettes or salads.