• A close-up of the golden yellow flowers of Achillea Cloth of Gold in a garden.
  • Achillea Cloth of Gold perennial plants blooming in a sunny cottage garden border.
  • Flowers to Grow...Perfect for Pollinators - Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
  • Hand holding achillea cloth of gold with blurred natural background
  • Field of achillea cloth of gold with green leaves in the background
  • Field of achillea cloth of gold with green leaves
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Achillea 'Cloth of Gold' Seeds 

If you think Yarrow is just a low-growing wildflower, think again. 'Cloth of Gold' is a giant. Standing over a metre tall on strong, woody stems, it produces massive, flat plates of deep mustard-gold flowers that look like floating shelves in the garden.

This is a plant with serious presence. It doesn't flop, it doesn't fade, and it laughs at drought. It is arguably the world's best dried flower—simply hang it upside down and it will retain its bright golden colour and rigid shape for years, bringing a touch of summer sunshine into your home all winter long.


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🌿 Understanding the Plant

Achillea filipendulina is a Hardy Herbaceous Perennial.

It is distinct from the common Yarrow (*A. millefolium*). It is taller, clump-forming rather than spreading, and has larger, more fern-like aromatic foliage. It is built for structure. The flat flower heads can reach up to 15cm (6 inches) across.

The "Landing Pad": The huge, flat heads are like an aircraft carrier for insects. You will often see multiple bees and hoverflies walking across a single flower head at the same time.

🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

This is a tough, low-maintenance plant that is easy to raise from seed.

Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Surface sow onto moist compost and do not cover (light is essential for germination). Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 14-21 days.

Where to Sow:
Plant out after the last frost. It needs full sun to flower well. It thrives in poor, dry, or sandy soils. Avoid rich, damp soils or the plant may grow too fast and lose its stability.

Care While Growing:
Staking: Although the stems are woody and strong, in very windy gardens the huge flower heads can act like sails. Some supports (stakes or brushwood) placed in spring can help keep it upright.

📋 Plant Specifications
Latin Name Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold'
Common Name Fernleaf Yarrow / Gold Yarrow
Hardiness H7 (Very Hardy - to -20°C)
Light Required Full Sun ☀️
Height ↕️ 1.2m - 1.5m (Very Tall)
Spread ↔️ 60cm (Clump forming)
Spacing 🌱 60cm apart
Great for 🍂 Dried Flowers
🏗️ Architectural Structure
☀️ Drought Gardens
🐝 Wildlife
Seed Count Approx. 300 seeds per packet
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions

'Cloth of Gold' is a bold, dominant plant that needs strong partners:

  • 🔵 Globe Thistle (Echinops): The Geometry Clash. The round blue balls of Echinops look incredible floating next to the flat golden plates of the Yarrow. Blue and Yellow is the classic colour combination.
  • 🌾 Tall Grasses (Miscanthus): The Softener. The rigid stems of the Yarrow can look a bit stiff on their own. Tall ornamental grasses provide movement and softness to create a relaxed prairie look.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar

Sow indoors Spring/Autumn. Flowers July to September.

Month J F M A M J J A S O N D
Sow Indoors 🟢 🟢 🟢 🟢 🟢
Plant Out 🌱 🌱
Flowers 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

⚠️ Handling Tip
While rare, the foliage of Achillea can irritate the skin of some sensitive gardeners, especially in bright sunlight. It is best to wear gloves when cutting or pruning the plants, just to be safe.

🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence

This variety holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit. The RHS describes it as "excellent for garden decoration" and confirms it is hardy throughout the British Isles.

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    Understanding the Plant

    What is a Perennial?

    Achillea is a robust Hardy Perennial. This is a wonderful investment for your garden.

    Unlike annuals which you have to sow every year, a Perennial comes back year after year. You can sow the seeds now, and while they may flower a little in their first year, they will settle in and get bigger, stronger, and more floriferous every single summer. It forms a clump that you can eventually divide to make even more plants for free!
    Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow

    Growing Achillea from seed is very rewarding, but patience is the key ingredient.

    🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
    Just like Ammi, Achillea seeds need light to germinate. They are tiny! Sow them on the surface of moist compost and do not cover them with soil (or use a very thin dusting of vermiculite). If you bury them, they won't come up. Keep them warm (around 18-20°C).

    Where to Sow:
    I recommend starting these indoors in trays from February to April. You can also sow them in summer (June/July) to overwinter and flower the following year. They can be a little slow to start, so don't give up on them.

    Care While Growing:
    Plant them out in a sunny spot—they absolutely crave the sun. They do not like "wet feet," so ensure your soil drains well. Because 'Cloth of Gold' grows tall (up to 1.5m), it is perfect for the back of the border, but it has stiff stems so rarely needs staking unless it is very exposed.

    A close-up of the golden yellow flowers of Achillea Cloth of Gold in a garden.
    Achillea Cloth of Gold perennial plants blooming in a sunny cottage garden border.
    Flowers to Grow...Perfect for Pollinators - Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
    Hand holding achillea cloth of gold with blurred natural background
    Field of achillea cloth of gold with green leaves in the background
    Field of achillea cloth of gold with green leaves
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