Achillea 'Little Moonshine'

Achillea 'Little Moonshine': Compact Radiance for Every Garden

Achillea 'Little Moonshine' is a petite powerhouse that brings all the brightness of the classic ‘Moonshine’ yarrow into a more compact, garden-friendly form. With cheerful lemon-yellow flower clusters held above finely textured, silvery foliage, this dwarf perennial delivers long-lasting colour and soft texture from early summer into fall. Whether you're working with containers, small borders, or rock gardens, 'Little Moonshine' offers the same durability, pollinator appeal, and drought tolerance as its taller cousin—just in a smaller, more versatile size.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Grows to a tidy height of 25–30 cm, making it perfect for front-of-border plantings, edging, and container gardens.
• Spread: Spreads approximately 35–45 cm, forming a neat, mounded clump with excellent branching and flower coverage.
• Flower Colour: Bright lemon-yellow flower heads held in flat-topped clusters, creating a vivid and uplifting display.
• Flowering Period: Blooms from early summer through early fall, with a particularly long and repeat-flowering season.
• Foliage: Features soft, aromatic, silvery-grey foliage that provides interest even when not in bloom.
• Sunlight Requirements: Thrives in full sun, where it develops the strongest colour, most compact habit, and greatest flower production.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and tolerates dry, sandy, or rocky conditions; does not perform well in wet or heavy soils.

Uses and Benefits: Achillea 'Little Moonshine' is an ideal plant for gardeners seeking lasting colour in a compact form. Perfect for small gardens, rockeries, xeriscapes, or mixed perennial borders, it is also highly effective in container arrangements. The long bloom time and nectar-rich flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators, while its low-growing habit makes it excellent for edging walkways or filling in sunny gaps. Drought tolerant, deer resistant, and low maintenance, this is a dependable performer in even the toughest garden spots.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Little Moonshine' with Salvia 'May Night' to create a vibrant contrast of yellow and violet-blue blooms that attract pollinators and provide long-season interest. Add Sedum 'Autumn Joy' for a late-season blooming companion that echoes the yarrow’s toughness and tolerance for dry conditions. Include Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote' for its compact form, silvery foliage, and fragrant, purple flowers—blending beautifully with the soft texture and sunny colour of the yarrow. Together, these companions form a drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and visually balanced planting scheme.

Care Instructions: Once established, 'Little Moonshine' is very drought tolerant and thrives on neglect. Avoid overwatering or planting in poorly drained soil. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage repeat flowering and keep the plant looking tidy. In late fall or early spring, cut back dead stems to promote fresh growth. This yarrow generally does not require fertilization, especially in lean soils where it performs best.

History: Achillea 'Little Moonshine' is a naturally compact selection derived from the beloved ‘Moonshine’ yarrow, a cultivar of Achillea millefolium, a species native to Europe and western Asia. Bred for its dwarf habit, improved branching, and repeat bloom, 'Little Moonshine' was introduced to meet the needs of modern gardens where space, structure, and performance are key. It has quickly become a favourite for urban landscapes and low-maintenance design schemes.

Final Thoughts: Achillea 'Little Moonshine' is proof that big impact can come in small packages. With its vivid yellow blooms, tidy size, and impressive resilience, it’s a shining choice for any sunny garden. Whether tucked into a rock garden, edging a path, or brightening up a container, this compact yarrow offers reliable colour, texture, and pollinator appeal all summer long.