About

Achillea grandifolia 'Friv.' is a herbaceous perennial that typically grows between 40 and 100 centimeters tall. It features grey-green stems that become woody at the base. The leaves are adorned with fine silvery hairs on both surfaces, lending them a distinctive grey-green hue. These leaves range from 7 to 20 centimeters in length and 5 to 10 centimeters in width, displaying a shape that varies from flat and lanceolate to broadly ovate. They are deeply pinnatifid or pinnatisect with 4 to 6, occasionally 8, pairs of cuneate-lanceolate segments. In early summer, this plant produces dense corymbs measuring 5 to 20 centimeters across, each composed of 50 to 250 flower heads. Each head typically features 4 to 5 white ray florets. Care should be taken to distinguish this species from Tanacetum macrophyllum.

About the genus

Achillea consists of perennial plants that can grow in a mat-forming or upright habit. These mostly herbaceous species feature leaves that may be aromatic, either pinnately divided or simple with serrated edges. The plants produce flattened clusters of small, daisy-like flower heads.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Prairie planting, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native to
S & C Balkans
Fragrance
Foliage

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or dappled shade in an open position
Pruning
No pruning required, but deadheading will prolong the flowering season
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in its final position, or by division in spring
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to aphids
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to powdery mildews