Yarrow 'Summer Pastels'

Summer Pastels Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Summer Pastels brings a dreamy wash of soft colour to the garden, blending gentle apricot, blush pink, creamy ivory, buttery yellow, and lilac into a painter’s palette of blooms. Each flat-topped cluster sways above feathery green foliage, adding texture and romance to borders, meadows, and cutting gardens. Hardy in Zones 2–9, it often flowers its first year when sown early. This sun-loving perennial is drought tolerant, low maintenance, and rich in nectar, drawing butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Perfect for fresh bouquets or drying, it pairs beautifully with larkspur, cosmos, ammi, lavender, and ornamental grasses for an effortlessly soft, cottage-style planting.

DETAILS:

QTY: 75

TYPE: Perennial

SITE: Full Sun

DEPTH: Surface

GERMINATION: 10-14 days at 18-22°C

HEIGHT: 24 - 30"

MATURITY: 120 Days

SPACING: 6-9"

PINCH: No

HOW TO GROW:
Transplant (recommended): Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your average last frost date. Do not cover seeds, as they require light for germination. To avoid displacing the tiny seeds, bottom water or mist gently. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for 7–10 days before transplanting outdoors after the last frost.

Direct Seeding (alternative): Sow seeds directly outdoors in late spring, after the last frost, or in the fall. Sow seeds thinly into a well-prepared seedbed and press them lightly into the soil surface. Do not cover the seeds with soil, as they need light to germinate. Keep the area consistently moist until seedlings emerge.

Pinching and Support: Pinching is not typically necessary for yarrow. Support may be needed for taller varieties, especially if grown in windy locations.

Soil Preference and Watering: Yarrow thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil. It is a drought-tolerant plant once established and performs best in lean to average soil. Avoid overly rich soil, which can lead to floppy growth.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing is not required for yarrow.

Harvesting: For fresh-cut flowers, harvest stems when the flower heads are fully open but before the pollen is visible. For drying, harvest at the same stage and hang bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area for 2–3 weeks.