Achillea millefolium Excel

The Achillea millefolium 'Excel', also known as Yarrow, is a truly attractive variety with its large umbels of bright pink to violet-pink flowers that fade to a soft pink over time. The overall effect is a bouquet in shades of pink, complemented by a vibrant green foliage, finely cut and fragrant even when dry. From June to September, this highly floriferous perennial accompanies summer blooms and blends in with the blue stars of asters. Exuberant and undemanding, this plant thrives in poor soil and adds a charming touch to borders and informal flowerbeds. Easy to grow.

The 'Excel' Yarrow is an evergreen perennial plant that spreads through stolons and has an upright clumping habit. It belongs to the aster family. It is an excellent cultivar, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in) when in flower, with foliage measuring 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10in). It spreads over 50 cm (20in) or more.

The remarkably long flowering period lasts from June to September. The pink hue, ranging from light to deep, of the inflorescences varies depending on the ripeness of the flowers. These flower heads, which appear at the top of the stems, form flat or slightly domed corymbs, measuring approximately 7 cm (3in) in diameter. The stem is channelled and villous. The leaves are deciduous or semi-evergreen, highly aromatic even when dry, and finely divided into strips. The leaves are feathery and a vibrant green colour.

The 'Excel' Yarrow will fit well in a rock garden, on top of a wall, as a border plant, or on a slope where it will help prevent erosion. This stoloniferous plant can also be used as ground cover over large areas. It can withstand competition from tree roots, making it a good ground cover choice for woodland edges. As it is easy to grow and tolerates drought well, it is perfect for underplanting shrub roses or bordering a sunny flowerbed. Its flowers, which can be picked before fully opening, are ideal for creating bouquets.