Achillea 'Pastel Mixed' Seeds

Achillea millefolium 'Pastel Mixed' is a robust Hardy Herbaceous Perennial. It represents the highest hardiness rating in the British Isles (H7), capable of withstanding temperatures below -20°C. Biologically, it is a quintessential "pioneer" species, adapted to colonise poor soils where it uses its feathery, bipinnate foliage—hence the name millefolium (thousand leaves)—to efficiently capture moisture and prevent evaporation.

The "White Noise" Biology: In professional garden design, Yarrow is valued for providing "white noise"—a soft, horizontal texture that bridges the gap between taller vertical spires. The flat-topped clusters are composed of hundreds of minute florets that change pigment intensity as they age, providing a multi-tonal, sun-bleached aesthetic that is essential for romantic and naturalistic planting schemes.

Pollinator Support: As an RHS Plant for Pollinators asset, Achillea is peerless for accessibility. The wide, horizontal "landing pads" are an exceptional resource for British hoverflies and butterflies. These beneficial insects provide natural biological pest control, predating on aphids throughout the summer months.

Achillea seeds require specific light triggers and consistent warmth to break dormancy and ensure uniform germination.

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April, or in September/October to overwinter and develop a deep root system. Surface sow the seeds onto moist, high-quality seed compost and do not cover them; Achillea seeds are photoblastic and require light to trigger germination. Simply press them gently into the surface to ensure contact. Maintain a consistent temperature of 18-20°C. Germination is reliable, typically occurring within 10-14 days.

Where to Plant:
They demand full sun to develop their most vibrant pastel tones and thrive in any well-drained soil. Lean soil is critical; avoid over-fertilising with rich manure, as high nitrogen levels will encourage weak, floppy growth at the expense of the flowers. Space plants 45cm apart to allow for their spreading, mounded habit. They are highly drought-tolerant once established.

Ongoing Care:
Keep the soil moist until established. To maintain a continuous display, remove the faded flower heads; this signals the plant to produce a second wave of blooms in late summer. For a structural winter aesthetic, leave the final flower heads standing; they look spectacular when touched by frost and provide essential shelter for overwintering beneficial insects like ladybirds.

The flat pastel plates of 'Pastel Mixed' work spectacularly with focal partners from our available range:

• 🌼 Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum): The Wildflower Duo. A fresh, professional-looking combination for a summer meadow. The bright white petals of the Oxeye Daisy act as a visual highlight, making the soft apricots and roses of the Yarrow truly sing in the summer sunshine.
• 💙 Cornflower 'Blue Ball': The Colour Theory Contrast. Create a high-energy display by pairing the soft pastels with the electric blue of Cornflowers. The cool indigo tones provide a stunning vertical counterpoint to the horizontal Yarrow plates, creating a professional-grade, wildlife-rich border.

Surface sow in spring or autumn for a summer-long harvest of pastel flower plates that will return faithfully to your borders year after year.