Achillea 'Rubra' Seeds

Achillea millefolium 'Rubra' is a striking variety that produces clusters of tiny, velvety flowers in rich shades of ruby-red and deep cerise. These flat-topped flower heads float above the signature feathery, silver-green aromatic foliage that makes Yarrow so popular.

This is a plant with real character. As the flowers age under the summer sun, they gently fade from intense red to soft terracotta and vintage pink, creating a stunning "antique" look. It brings a richness and depth to cottage borders that lighter pastels simply cannot match.

Why Your Garden Needs Red Yarrow

We love this plant for its ability to "warm up" a planting scheme. If your garden feels a bit too cold with lots of blues and whites, adding a drift of Red Yarrow instantly makes the space feel sunnier and more inviting.

It is also incredibly low-maintenance. Once established, it is virtually drought-proof, making it perfect for those tricky dry spots or gravel gardens. It creates a dense mat of foliage that helps suppress weeds, and the sturdy stems make it a fantastic cut flower that lasts for ages in a vase.

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 Red Yarrow is simple, but remember the specific requirement for germination:

🌱 Germination (The Light Trick):
These seeds need light to wake up. They are very small! Sow them on the surface of moist compost and press them down gently so they make good 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 results. 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 sunny position. They thrive in average to poor soils and actually dislike soil that is too wet or rich (which can make them flop). Deadhead the spent blooms regularly to encourage fresh waves of red flowers well into autumn.

Plant Specifications

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

My Recommended Garden Companions

The flat red plates of Achillea need contrasting shapes and rich colours to create a tapestry effect:

• 💜 Salvia 'Violet Queen': A jewel-toned clash. The deep violet, vertical spikes of the Salvia contrast perfectly with the horizontal, deep red plates of the Achillea. Both thrive in the same sunny, dry conditions.
• 🍯 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': For late summer warmth. The golden-orange daisies of the Rudbeckia pick up the yellow eyes of the Achillea, creating a warm, glowing, fire-pit aesthetic in the border.

📅 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)