Achillea 'Pastel Mix' Seeds

Achillea millefolium 'Pastel Mix' is a stunning collection of soft, muted tones. Imagine flat-topped flower heads in gentle shades of apricot, lemon-cream, lilac, salmon, and dusty pink, all rising above fern-like, silver-green foliage.

This mix is absolutely essential for gardeners who love that vintage, "faded tapestry" look. The colours aren't shouting for attention; instead, they whisper, blending beautifully with almost any other plant. As the flowers age, they fade gracefully into parchment tones, keeping the border looking elegant right through to autumn.

Why Your Garden Needs 'Pastel Mix'

We often recommend this mix because it is the ultimate harmoniser. If you have a border where the colours are clashing, planting a drift of these pastels acts as a bridge, softening the transition between bright reds or deep purples.

Like all Yarrows, it is a survivor. It laughs at dry summers, thrives in poor soil, and requires almost no watering once established. It creates a natural, meadow-like feel that looks effortlessly chic, and the dried stems look incredible in winter wreaths.

Understanding the Plant: What is a Perennial?

Achillea is a robust Hardy Perennial. This means it is a long-term investment 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 Yarrow from seed is very straightforward, but remember the "Golden Rule" of light.

🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
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. 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 will flop over if grown in the shade or in soil that is too wet/rich. They love a "lean" environment. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage a second flush of colour later in the season.

Plant Specifications

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

My Recommended Garden Companions

The flat plates of Achillea act as a shelf in the border; pair them with vertical spikes or airy grasses for contrast:

• 💜 Salvia 'Violet Queen': Shape contrast. The rigid, upright spikes of the deep purple Salvia slice through the horizontal, soft pink plates of the Achillea. It is a dynamic, professional planting combination.
• 🌾 Hordeum jubatum (Foxtail Barley): For a prairie look. The silky, pinkish-green plumes of the barley grass pick up the soft apricot tones of the Achillea, creating a relaxed, windswept meadow feel.

📅 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)