Achillea

Meet Achillea (yarrow) — the effortless way to weave long-lasting colour, texture, and wildlife into your summer borders. From soft pastels to bold sunset tones, its flat, lace-like umbels float above ferny, aromatic foliage from June into early autumn, drawing in bees, butterflies and other friendly pollinators. Tough, drought-tolerant and happily at home in free-draining soil and full sun, Achillea thrives with very little fuss, making it a star for cottage gardens, prairie schemes and cutting patches alike.

Snip stems for the vase (they last brilliantly fresh or dried), then shear lightly to encourage a fresh flush of blooms. Plant in groups for a painterly sweep of colour, or thread through ornamental grasses, salvias and lavender for a naturalistic look. Fully hardy and reliably perennial, Achillea is that rare mix of beautiful, useful and resilient — a true border mainstay.