Yarrow (Achillea 'Apfelblüte' APPLEBLOSSOM)
Achillea 'Apfelblüte' APPLEBLOSSOM Yarrow is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant perennial famous for showy pink summer blooms.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM, a popular cultivar of Yarrow, brings dependable color and texture to the summer garden. This herbaceous perennial forms neat, compact mounds topped with flat-topped clusters of gentle pink flowers that last for months. It is highly valued by gardeners for its resilience and minimal cultural demands.
This robust variety thrives in hot, sunny conditions, making it an excellent addition to dry borders or meadow plantings where less tolerant plants struggle. Its deeply cut, aromatic foliage provides a fine, fern-like contrast to the dense flower heads. Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM is a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking low inputs and high visual returns throughout the peak growing season.
The genus name Achillea honors the mythological hero Achilles, who famously used the plant for medicinal purposes. Today, this dependable Yarrow continues its legacy as a trustworthy, beautiful landscape staple.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM establishes best when planted in the spring or fall, provided drainage is excellent. The ideal location requires full sun exposure to ensure compact growth and abundant flowering. As for soil, this variety excels in lean, dry to medium moisture, well-drained sandy loams. It tolerates average garden soils and can even handle poorer soil conditions, but you must strictly avoid heavy clays and sites that remain perpetually moist or overly rich.
Maintenance for this Yarrow is refreshingly simple, labeling it a low-maintenance choice. Water only sparingly once plants are established, as they readily tolerate drought. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary; rich soil encourages softer growth prone to flopping. To maximize bloom duration, promptly deadhead spent flower heads by cutting them back to visible lateral buds.
For plant structure management, a harder cut is recommended after the main flush of bloom subsides. Trim plants back to the basal leaves to refresh their appearance and potentially trigger a smaller secondary bloom later in the season. Clumps benefit from being divided every three to four years to maintain vigor. Fortunately, the stiff stems of Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM usually result in a compact plant that rarely requires staking, even in windy spots.
Landscape Uses
The upright, tidy habit and long bloom time of Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM make it supremely versatile in garden design. It performs excellently when massed together, creating swathes of soft pink color in naturalized settings or meadows, fitting perfectly with the suggested use of ‘Naturalize’. Its slightly airy, yet structured form is ideal for defining the front or middle of traditional cottage gardens.
Use this Yarrow variety along borders where its drought tolerance is an advantage near paths or driveways that receive intense reflected heat. It looks attractive paired with plants that appreciate similar dry, sunny conditions, such as Russian Sage or Sedum. For a wilder aesthetic, allow Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM to mix freely with ornamental grasses.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
Achillea is renowned for its reliability in hot, sunny positions. APPLEBLOSSOM is an erect plant featuring dense, flat-topped terminal flower clusters (corymbs) displaying gorgeous pink hues spanning 2 to 3” across. The deeply-cut, fern-like green foliage is aromatic when crushed, and the plant maintains drought tolerance once established, extending its long summer bloom period if faded flowers are promptly removed.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
While Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM is generally tough, certain environmental pressures can reveal occasional issues. Fungal diseases such as Botrytis, powdery mildew, and rust can appear, especially if air circulation is poor or if the plant is situated in a consistently wet area. To mitigate moisture-related disease, ensure excellent soil drainage and avoid overhead watering late in the day.
This variety’s excellent structure typically prevents the need for staking. Taller or weaker Yarrows might require support, especially if they are grown in too much shade. A significant physical threat comes from environmental stress—strong summer rain storms coupled with high winds can flatten exposed plantings if the plant is overly vigorous or sited poorly. Growers must strictly avoid wet sites or heavy, poorly draining soils, as this is the primary cause of long-term decline for this otherwise rugged perennial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Yarrow suitable for?
Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM is suited for a wide range, thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM grow?
When fully mature, this compact Yarrow typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, with a spread matching at 1.5 to 2 feet.
When does Yarrow bloom?
This variety offers a long display, blooming continuously from June well into September, featuring beautiful pink flowers.
What sun exposure does this Yarrow need?
For the best performance, Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM requires consistent full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM stands out as a premier choice for reliable, low-maintenance color, prized for its drought and heat tolerance. This beautiful pink Yarrow offers excellent texture for borders and cuts beautifully for bouquets. Before planting, confirm that your garden site offers full sun and well-drained soil conditions suited for this dependable perennial.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors enhances the visual appeal and health of your Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM planting. Because Yarrow thrives in dry, lean soil and full sun, pair it with other Mediterranean or prairie-style companions. Excellent partners include Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), which shares its sun needs and vertical structure, or various ornamental grasses that add movement around the solid pink anchors provided by the Yarrow.
Plants that require rich, moist soil should be avoided completely, as planting them near Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM will introduce cultural conflicts that lead to failure for one or the other. If you are grouping this plant in a cottage garden setting, consider connecting it visually with lower-growing artemisias or sun-loving, silver-leaved plants to complement the ferny foliage.
Propagation Tips
The most practical way to propagate Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM and maintain its specific hybrid characteristics is through division. Aim to divide overgrown clumps every three to four years, ideally in early spring before new foliage emerges, or in early fall. Dig up the entire clump and gently separate it into smaller sections, ensuring each new division has a healthy section of crown and roots attached.
When replanting these new divisions, site them in soil that meets the plant’s preference: lean, well-drained, and sunny. While seeds can technically be collected from spent flower heads, this method will result in variable progeny, as hybrids rarely breed true from seed. Division guarantees you retain the exact compact size and pink flower color of Achillea ‘Apfelblüte’ APPLEBLOSSOM.
