Achillea New Vintage™ Violet

Achillea New Vintage™ Violet: Violet Yarrow That Breaks the Rules

Violet-red clusters held tight and tidy, like somebody finally organized the wine rack. This yarrow is moody, polished and keeps reblooming like it has a standing reservation. CORK IT AND KEEP IT.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium 'Balvinviolet'
• Common Name: Yarrow
• Series: New Vintage™, sold by Proven Winners®
• Height: 66–71 cm (26–28 in)
• Spread: 25–30 cm (10–12 in)
• Flowers: Violet-red, in tightly held, flat-topped clusters
• Bloom Time: Early summer to late summer (June to August), with rebloom
• Foliage: Green, finely divided and fragrant
• Features: Reblooming, salt tolerant, good for cut and dried flowers

Where to Plant: Plant it in a sunny border, a cottage or pollinator garden, or a container. It's tough enough for a hot strip by the driveway where salt and dry soil defeat fussier plants.

Companion Plants: Set these violet-red heads among white and lime for a cool, modern sunny bed. Armeria Dreameria® 'Dream Clouds' edges the front with white globes at 25 to 30 cm from May to September. Gypsophila Summer Sparkles® adds a white haze of flowers at 58 to 69 cm in June and July. Echinacea 'Mellow Limes' brings lime-green coneflowers at 80 cm from June to October. Schizachyrium 'Ha Ha Tonka' stands behind at 90 to 120 cm with blue-green blades tinged red and orange.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Rich soil and extra fertilizer make yarrow floppy, so keep things lean. Water regularly during the first season, then only in extended dry weather. Trim spent flower stems to encourage more blooms. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Divide in spring every few years if the clump spreads or the centre opens up.

History: Common yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is a wildflower of meadows and roadsides across much of the Northern Hemisphere, and since the wild plant is usually white, breeders have spent decades coaxing out richer colours. The New Vintage™ series brings those colours to a compact, sturdy plant.

Final Thoughts: Deer walk past, salt doesn't scare it and the bees treat it like happy hour. Plant three. THE SOMMELIER RECOMMENDS A SECOND BOTTLE.