Achillea millefolium Apricot Delight

The Achillea millefolium 'Apricot Delight' (Tutti Frutti) is part of a series of yarrow plants recently selected for their compact habit, long-lasting and uniform flowering, and fruity colours. Throughout the summer, it produces beautiful umbels of flowers that change colour as the days pass, displaying gorgeous shades of pink, soft apricot, and red. The foliage is light, feathery, aromatic, and can be deciduous or semi-evergreen. This wild plant fearlessly climbs slopes and colonizes wild areas of the garden that can be challenging to design. Exuberant yet undemanding, this perennial, commonly found in cottage gardens, adds a charming touch to simple flower beds in all regions.

Yarrow is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the asteraceae family, native to Europe and Asia Minor. From spring onwards, it forms a compact and upright tuft that spreads through stolons, allowing it to colonize large areas. 'Apricot Delight' reaches a height of about 60 cm (24in) when in bloom, with foliage measuring 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8in). It spreads to 50 cm (20in) and more. The remarkably long flowering period lasts from June to September, provided the soil remains slightly moist during the hottest months of summer. The flowers form flat and slightly rounded inflorescences called corymbs, measuring about 7 cm (3in) in diameter. The flowers are actually heads, with tubular yellow florets in the central disk, while the peripheral florets are ligulate and change colour. The inflorescence evolves from pink to pale apricot, then turns reddish-pink as it fades. The stem is channelled and villous, and the aromatic foliage is finely dissected, feathery, and dark greenish-gray in colour.

This hardy and undemanding perennial integrates well in rock gardens, on top of walls, along borders and pathways, or on slopes where it helps prevent erosion. With its stolons, it can be used as a ground cover over large areas. It tolerates competition from tree roots and can be planted at the base of a sunny hedge. As it is easy to grow and requires little water, it is perfect for weekend gardens or gardens without irrigation. For example, combine it with beautiful ornamental grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum and Stipa tenuifolia, ornamental garlic Allium sphaerocephalon, or even 'Caradonna' sage in a small, colourful country scene.

Yarrow is also a medicinal plant with healing, hemostatic, antispasmodic, and tonic properties. Its young shoots can be used in omelettes or salads.