Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' Seeds

Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' is a Hardy Perennial (H7), meaning it's exceptionally tough and will sail through even harsh British winters without batting an eyelid.

This is what botanists call a "rhizomatous" plant, which means it grows from underground stems (rhizomes) that slowly spread horizontally beneath the soil surface. Over a couple of years, it forms a dense, spreading clump that provides excellent weed-suppressing ground cover. It's important to note that this is a completely different species from the common yellow or red Yarrows (Achillea millefolium) that you might know. Unlike those sun-loving, drought-tolerant species which insist on dry, gritty conditions, Achillea ptarmica is perfectly happy—in fact, it actually prefers—moist, heavier soils, making it far more versatile for typical British gardens.

The "Double" Advantage: The flowers of 'Ballerina' are fully double and sterile, meaning they don't produce viable pollen or set seed. This might sound like a disadvantage, but it's actually brilliant news for gardeners! Because the plant isn't expending energy on seed production, it holds onto its pristine white petals for weeks and weeks without fading or turning brown, keeping your display looking absolutely fresh and beautiful for much longer than single-flowered varieties.

The Sneezewort Connection: The common name "Sneezewort" comes from the old folk practice of drying the leaves and using them as snuff to induce sneezing (which was once thought to clear the head of evil spirits!). Don't worry—just growing it in your garden won't make you sneeze!

'Ballerina' is genuinely easy to grow from seed and will often reward you with flowers in its very first year if you sow early enough in the season.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April for flowers the same summer, or in September-October for strong plants the following year. Here's the critical bit: surface sow the tiny seeds onto moist seed compost and do not cover them—they absolutely need light to trigger germination. Just press them down very gently with your fingertips to ensure good contact with the compost surface. Keep the tray at approximately 18-20°C (a bright windowsill is perfect) and keep the compost consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination is usually quite reliable and takes around 10-14 days.

Planting Out:
Plant out your seedlings after the last frost danger has passed, typically from mid-May onwards. 'Ballerina' is remarkably adaptable and thrives in full sun or even partial shade—one of the few silver or grey-leaved plants that genuinely tolerates some shade. Here's where it really differs from other Achilleas: it's one of the very few members of the family that actually tolerates—and even prefers—damp (though not completely waterlogged) soil. This makes it perfect for those slightly heavier clay soils or moisture-retentive borders where the typical drought-loving varieties would struggle.

The Mid-Summer Haircut:
Here's a professional trick that makes all the difference: after the first main flush of flowers finishes in July, take a pair of shears or hedge clippers and cut the entire plant back by about half its height. This might feel brutal, but it's exactly what the plant needs! This rejuvenating haircut tidies up the somewhat straggly post-flowering foliage and stimulates the plant to send up a completely fresh flush of stems and flowers in September, effectively giving you two distinct flowering seasons from one plant.

Long-Term Maintenance:
Every 2-3 years in early spring, lift the clump with a fork and divide it into smaller sections. This keeps the plant youthful and vigorous, prevents it from spreading too enthusiastically, and gives you plenty of extra plants to share with friends or plant elsewhere in the garden.

'Ballerina' provides those essential bright white highlights that make absolutely every other colour in your border really pop and sing:

• 💜 Verbena bonariensis: The airy, see-through combination. The tall, wiry purple stems of Verbena bonariensis float high above the low, billowing white mounds of Achillea, creating a wonderfully layered, three-dimensional effect. Both plants have a similar soft, informal character that works beautifully together in naturalistic cottage garden schemes. The purple and white colour combination is absolutely classic and never fails to look sophisticated and elegant.
• 💗 Lychnis coronaria (Rose Campion): The shocking magenta contrast. If you want maximum visual drama and impact in your borders, plant the intensely vibrant magenta-pink flowers of Rose Campion alongside the pure, brilliant white of 'Ballerina'. The colour contrast is absolutely electrifying—it creates that vibrant, high-energy, unapologetically joyful cottage garden look that makes visitors stop in their tracks. Add in the silver-felted foliage of the Lychnis against the dark green of the Achillea and you've got textural interest too!

Sow indoors in spring or autumn. Flowers from June to September.