Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset'

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset': Bold Blooms in Sunset Shades

Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset' captures the glowing warmth of a summer evening with its vibrant, orange-coral blooms that shift subtly to golden-apricot tones as they mature. Part of the Sassy Summer series, this tall, upright yarrow combines commanding colour with a strong, vertical habit—making it an excellent choice for sunny borders, wildflower-inspired plantings, and modern pollinator gardens. Heat-tolerant, deer-resistant, and pollinator-friendly, 'Sassy Summer Sunset' is the perfect way to infuse your landscape with long-lasting colour and easygoing charm.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Reaches a mature height of 75–90 cm, offering strong vertical structure in mid to back borders.
• Spread: Spreads approximately 60–75 cm, forming an upright, well-branched clump that holds its shape all season.
• Flower Colour: Displays large, flat flower clusters in brilliant shades of sunset orange that fade gently to peach and gold.
• Flowering Period: Blooms from early summer to late summer, with strong rebloom potential when deadheaded.
• Foliage: Soft green, fern-like foliage adds a delicate texture and holds up well throughout the growing season.
• Sunlight Requirements: Thrives in full sun; best flowering and colour development occur with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained soil; tolerates dry, sandy, or average garden soils and is drought tolerant once established.

Uses and Benefits: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset' brings glowing colour and upright form to garden designs of all styles. Its warm hues add vibrancy to borders and contrast beautifully with cooler-toned perennials and ornamental grasses. Loved by bees and butterflies, this easy-care perennial is also deer resistant, drought tolerant, and excellent for cut or dried flower arrangements. It’s a strong performer in tough spots, bringing beauty and structure to water-wise gardens.

Companion Plants: Pair 'Sassy Summer Sunset' with Allium 'Millenium'—its violet-purple blooms provide a striking complementary contrast to the warm orange tones of the yarrow and draw in pollinators all season. Add Echinacea 'PowWow White' for crisp white daisy blooms that offer cooling balance and long-lasting summer colour. For elegant movement and soft texture, include Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln'—its fine foliage and foxtail-like plumes echo the softness of the yarrow while creating a dynamic, multi-layered planting. These companions are well-suited for sunny, dry locations and combine to create a visually engaging, pollinator-friendly display.

Care Instructions: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Once established, this variety is drought tolerant and thrives with minimal care. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering and maintain a neat appearance. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring to refresh the plant for the new growing season. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to maintain vigor and compact growth.

History: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset' is a standout cultivar in the Sassy Summer series from Walters Gardens, bred for its large, richly coloured blooms, sturdy stems, and upright growth habit. This series was developed to combine the resilience and pollinator appeal of Achillea millefolium, a species native to Europe and North America, with modern garden performance. 'Sassy Summer Sunset' is valued for its dynamic colour shift, long bloom time, and suitability for sunny, dry landscapes where both beauty and durability are key.

Final Thoughts: Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset' lives up to its name with radiant tones that glow like a fading summer sky. Its bold blooms, sturdy habit, and easy-care nature make it a standout addition to any sunny garden. Whether used to brighten a mixed border, support pollinators, or add structure to a drought-tolerant design, this sunset-hued yarrow delivers season-long colour and timeless appeal.