Achillea sibirica var. camtschatica Love Parade

The Achillea sibirica var. camtschatica 'Love Parade' is a bewildering wild yarrow, quite different from the "thousand leaves" so appreciated in natural settings. This selection, recently introduced to the horticultural market, surpasses other varieties. With a beautiful stature, it bears a satin foliage reminiscent of silver hemp that is very stylish, and provides a long and beautiful summer flowering, in large umbels paved with small pale pink flowers with a pale yellow centre, becoming white at maturity. Unusual but delightful, originating from the far northeast of Russia, it is also a robust perennial accustomed to the harshest climates, very cold in winter. A plant seemingly destined for a bright future in gardens, in open ground or even in flowering pots. It is superb in bouquets.

The Achillea sibirica subsp. Camtschatica (sometimes listed as camschatica or kamtschatica), also known as Siberian Yarrow, is a rhizomatous and herbaceous perennial plant native to the Kamchatka Peninsula, bathed by the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean. It belongs to the large family of Asters. 'Love Parade' differs from the species only by its baby pink flower heads when others tend to be white. The plant grows in a vigorous shrub, at least 60cm (24in) high and 50cm (20in) wide. It spreads laterally through its rhizomes, without becoming invasive. Flowering occurs from June to September, at the top of stems that can reach a height of 75cm (30in). Each flower head is a flattened corymb, 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) wide, densely filled with small 0.5cm (1in) capitula resembling daisies with a baby pink colour they bloom, with a powdery brown-pink centre with pale yellow stamens, with the pink fading to white over time. The evergreen foliage, dark green and shiny with silver reflections, is composed of narrow leaves, 10cm (4in) long, with serrated edges. They are arranged in a circle all around the stem. The plant self-seeds quite reliably, in a light and well-drained soil.

The Love Parade yarrow is a plant for ordinary soil, well-drained and even chalky. For it to truly amaze, choose an informal sunny bed, composed of single flowers such as poppies, small blue thistles (Echinops ritro), perennial peas, asters, wood sage, Amur river carnations (Dianthus amuriensis) or even yarrow. It also grows well in pots, where it can accompany perennial geraniums (Russel Prichard, Blue Cloud, Patricia), a purple heuchera (Plum Pudding, Cherry Cola...). Its flower umbels are very long-lasting in country bouquets.