Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria'

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria': Rich Colour with a Refined Edge

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria' brings a bold splash of deep, saturated colour to the summer garden. With large clusters of intense red flowers that age to rich shades of rose and burgundy, this tall, upright yarrow adds both structure and drama to sunny borders. A member of the Sassy Summer series, it features sturdy stems, finely textured foliage, and a long bloom season—delivering reliable performance with minimal care. Whether used as a vertical accent or massed for impact, 'Sassy Summer Sangria' turns up the volume with elegance and ease.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Grows to a height of 75–90 cm, offering a strong vertical presence in garden beds and border designs.
• Spread: Spreads approximately 60–75 cm, forming a sturdy, upright clump that resists flopping.
• Flower Colour: Large clusters of vibrant sangria-red blooms that deepen in tone and retain colour well as they age.
• Flowering Period: Blooms from early summer through late summer; regular deadheading encourages prolonged flowering.
• Foliage: Fern-like, aromatic green foliage provides soft texture and remains attractive throughout the growing season.
• Sunlight Requirements: Requires full sun for best performance, colour saturation, and bloom production.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil and performs well in sandy, gravelly, or average conditions. Tolerant of heat and drought once established.

Uses and Benefits: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria' is perfect for adding bold, warm-toned colour and architectural form to sunny borders, wildflower plantings, and prairie-style gardens. The long-lasting flowers are excellent for fresh or dried arrangements, and the plant’s pollinator-friendly blooms attract bees and butterflies throughout the summer. With its deer resistance, drought tolerance, and low-maintenance habit, this yarrow offers dependable garden performance and striking visual appeal.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Sassy Summer Sangria' with Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'—its fine, arching blades and soft, bottlebrush plumes add graceful texture and movement, offering a gentle contrast to the bold upright form of the yarrow. Add Agastache 'Black Adder' for deep violet flower spikes that bloom alongside the yarrow and provide strong vertical interest while attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. To soften the palette and extend the bloom season, include Achillea millefolium 'Moonshine'—its lemon-yellow flowers and silvery foliage bring brightness that beautifully balances the rich red tones of Sangria. Together, these companions create a layered, drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly planting with dynamic colour and texture.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, 'Sassy Summer Sangria' is highly drought tolerant and requires little supplemental water. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering and maintain a tidy appearance. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring to refresh growth. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to maintain plant vigor and shape.

History: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria' is part of the Sassy Summer series developed by Walters Gardens, bred for increased height, stronger stems, and larger, longer-lasting blooms. Like others in the series, it is derived from Achillea millefolium, a species native to Europe and North America, known for its resilience, pollinator value, and medicinal history. 'Sassy Summer Sangria' was selected specifically for its rich red colouring, upright habit, and season-spanning performance—making it a reliable and eye-catching addition to modern garden designs.

Final Thoughts: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria' offers the perfect mix of heat-loving resilience and vibrant summer colour. Its upright habit, pollinator-friendly flowers, and rich red tones make it a standout choice for sunny borders, prairie plantings, and low-maintenance landscapes. Whether planted as a bold accent or layered into a mixed perennial bed, this yarrow brings structure, strength, and a generous dose of garden drama.