Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold'

Achillea filipendulina ‘Cloth of Gold’ is an easy to grow plant which tolerates a fair amount of neglect which makes it a very versatile plant for use in many situations. It does require full sun for best flower production, but this is little to ask for such a grand reward.

‘Cloth of Gold’ grows to around 120cm (4ft) tall. The foliage of this herbaceous perennial has a fern-like appearance are numerously produced and are beautiful in their own right.
The flowers are arranged in corymbs, the flat-topped flower clusters are surprisingly rigid, almost hard. Blooming from mid to late summer, the flowers are of rich 'old gold' yellow colour, and are very large, often 13cm (5in) or more across.

Achillea works as an accent, specimen, or in mass planting. They are suitable for cut flowers production and make excellent dried flowers. Hardy to -30°C.(-20°F.) and drought proof, the plants will takes most climates and most kinds of soil as long as it is well drained.
Achillea will attract many species of pollinating insects to your garden during the summer and certain species of birds will also use it to line their nests. An added bonus is it is both deer and rabbit resistant

• Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit
  Achillea filipendulina ‘Cloth of Gold’ was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) in 1999.

Sowing: February to June or September to October.
Sow the seeds on the surface of lightly firmed, moist seed compost in pots or trays. Cover seed with only a light sprinkling of compost or vermiculite as light aids germination. Water from the base of the tray, Place in a propagator or warm place, ideally at 15 to 20°C (59 to 68°F). Keep the compost moist but not wet at all times. Germination 5 to 10 days.
Prick out each seedling once it has its first set of “true” leaves and transplant into 7.5cm (3in) pots containing free-draining compost and grow them on in frost free conditions until large enough to plant outside. Plant out in well drained soil in full sun.
Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10 to 15 days before planting out after all risk of frost has passed. Overwinter autumn sown plants in frost-free conditions before planting out the following spring. Plant 30 to 60cm apart.
Transplant to full sun and light soil; if the soil is rich, the stems get floppy. The plants dislike wet ground, particularly during winter. Improve heavy soil conditions by adding coarse grit or sharp sand prior to planting.

Cultivation:
Achillea is a very easy plant to care for and once established is reasonably drought tolerant. In summer, stake the flower stems of tall varieties with canes or brushwood before the flowers appear to prevent them drooping in wet weather.
Blooming is prolonged by regular removal of faded flower stems. Cut down to the ground in late winter, but resist the urge to do this earlier, as the seed heads look lovely in the winter light. Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn or early spring.
In very heavy soils cut flowering stems off at ground level in late September to early October to allow the plants to bulk up at the base and thereby get through the winter more easily.

Cut Flowers:
Cut when the flowers are well open but before the oldest flowers on the stem start to show signs of browning. Rain can damage the quality of the flowers, so cut back poor quality stems and wait for a second flush.
To dry, hang upside down in a warm (not hot) place with good air circulation. Drying too fast at high temps can cause browning, but drying too slowly may result in colour loss on the stems and leaves and give a less fresh appearance.

Garden Uses:
Coastal, Cottage/Informal Garden, Flower Arranging, Borders and Beds, Dry or Gravel Garden, Prairie Planting, Wildlife Gardens. Low Maintenance.

Other Uses:
In the garden, yarrow is said to increase the health of nearby plants and will intensify the flavour of herbs grown near it. It is also a good compost activator.
Its flowers attract many beneficial insects, including ladybirds and parasitic wasps that prey on garden pests, in particular aphids. Ants do not like the smell; crushed leaves can be used as a deterrent.
Several cavity-nesting birds, including the common starling, use yarrow to line their nests. Experiments suggest that adding yarrow to nests inhibits the growth of parasites.
Achillea is used for making natural dyes and will give a range of yellow, tan and green colours.

Origin:
Achillea filipendulina, the Fernleaf Yarrow, is a perennial plant in the Asteraceae family, native to the Caucasus Mountains, in southeast Europe, including Chechnya, Dagestan, North Ossetia, South Ossetia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Nomenclature:
Named by Linnaeus, its name is said to derive from Achilles. Homer’s hero in the Iliad, who was well-trained in healing wounds as well as in causing them. He was reputed to have used it to staunch the bleeding wounds of his soldiers.
Yarrow has been used for thousands of years to staunch the flow of blood and for other medical purposes, In antiquity, yarrow was known as herbal militaris or soldier’s herb, nosebleed plant, and soldier’s woundwort.
The species name filipendulina is a Latinised word meaning that the plant has foliage similar to members of the Filipendula genus. Filipendula comes from filum, meaning "thread" and pendulus, meaning "hanging".
Achillea eupatorium, Achillea filicifolia, Tanacetum angulatum are all synonyms for Achillea filipendulina.