Achillea 'Cerise Queen' Seeds 

Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen' is the romantic sister to the yellow varieties. It produces flat, plate-like flower heads consisting of hundreds of tiny, vivid magenta-pink flowers that sit atop feathery, aromatic, fern-like foliage.

What we love most about 'Cerise Queen' is how it ages gracefully. The flowers open a bright, punchy cherry-pink and slowly fade to soft pastel pinks and vintage whites, giving your garden a beautiful, multi-tonal tapestry effect throughout the summer. It feels less formal than other perennials, making it perfect for a cottage garden or a meadow-style planting scheme.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Cerise Queen'

This plant is a workhorse. It is incredibly tough, spreads gently to fill gaps (suppressing weeds with its dense foliage), and is wonderfully drought-tolerant once established. If you have a dry, sunny bank or a border that doesn't get watered often, this is your solution.

It is also a cut-flower grower's secret weapon. The stems are sturdy and straight, and they last over a week in a vase. Like all Yarrows, it dries brilliantly—keeping its pinkish hue even in winter arrangements.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Perennial?

Achillea is a robust Hardy Perennial. This means it is a long-term friend for your garden.

Unlike annuals which complete their life cycle in one year, a perennial comes back year after year. You sow the seeds now, and while they might give you a small flush of flowers in their first year, they will really come into their own in year two. The plant will get wider and stronger every spring, eventually forming a large clump that you can divide to make new plants for free.

Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

Growing 'Cerise Queen' is very simple, but there is one "Golden Rule" to remember regarding the seeds.

🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
Just like other Yarrows, these seeds need light to trigger germination. They are tiny! Sow them on the surface of moist compost and press them down gently so they make contact with the soil, but do not cover them (or use only the finest dusting of vermiculite). Keep them warm (around 18-20°C) and moist.

Where to Sow:
Start them indoors in trays from February to April for the best start. You can also sow them outdoors in late spring (May) once the soil has warmed up, or in late summer to overwinter for next year.

Care While Growing:
Plant them out in a full sun position. They aren't fussy about soil quality—in fact, they often flower better in poorer soils! If the soil is too rich, the plants can get a bit floppy. This variety grows to about 60cm, making it perfect for the middle of a border.

Plant Specifications

Here is a quick reference guide to the key features, helping you decide if this pink beauty is the right fit for your garden borders.

My Recommended Garden Companions

The flat plates of Achillea need vertical lines for contrast. Try these pairings:

• 💜 Salvia 'Violet Queen': Vertical vs. Horizontal. The upright, deep violet spikes of the Salvia slice through the flat, pink plates of the Achillea. It is a dynamic shape contrast that looks professionally designed.
• 🌼 Oxeye Daisy: For a meadow look. The simple white daisies contrast with the complex flower heads of the Achillea. Both are tough, spreading perennials that thrive in wilder corners of the garden.

📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow early indoors for a chance of first-year flowers, or sow late to establish plants for next summer.

(↔️ Swipe chart to see all months)