Yarrow (Achillea 'Anblo' ANTHEA)
Achillea 'Anblo' ANTHEA Yarrow is a compact, low-maintenance perennial offering pale yellow flowers and aromatic, silvery-gray foliage for full sun gardens.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA, commonly known as Yarrow, is a highly valued herbaceous perennial esteemed for its neat, upright habit and consistent summer color. This compact hybrid boasts deeply-dissected, aromatic, silvery-gray foliage that remains attractive even when the plant is not in bloom. Gardeners prize this cultivar for producing dense, flattened clusters of pale yellow flowers throughout the season.
This perennial thrives where many other plants might struggle, preferring lean soils and full sun exposure. Its low maintenance requirements make Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA an excellent addition to perennial borders, cottage gardens, or naturalized meadows. Furthermore, the flowers are exceptional for both fresh bouquets and drying applications, extending their decorative appeal indoors.
Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA offers significant structural and aesthetic benefits with minimal effort. It exhibits better resistance to foliar diseases compared to some related silver-leaved Yarrow types, ensuring cleaner performance throughout the growing season. Planting Yarrow provides reliable, drought-tolerant texture and lasting light yellow blooms.
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: May to July
- Bloom Description: Light yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The ideal time to establish Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA in your garden is spring or fall. Site the plant where it receives full sun daily; adequate sunlight is crucial not only for optimal flowering but also for maintaining its compact habit and preventing disease issues. Best growth occurs in lean, dry to medium moisture, well-drained sandy loams. While it tolerates poor soils nicely, strictly avoid heavy clays and locations prone to wet feet, as poor drainage is a major cause of decline.
This Yarrow variety requires low maintenance once established. Water sparingly; allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Fertilizing is generally unnecessary; rich, fertile soils actually encourage weak, floppy growth. To encourage rebloom, deadhead spent flower heads by cutting them back to lateral buds rather than the base.
For tidiness and encouraging late-season renewal, cut the entire plant back heavily to the basal leaves immediately after the main flush of bloom subsides. This practice promotes fresh foliage growth and may even stimulate a secondary, smaller bloom period in the fall. If planting large groups of Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA, remember to divide the clumps every three to four years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. Protect plants from extremely strong winds, as stems, especially if overgrown or lacking sufficient sun, can occasionally flop.
Landscape Uses
Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA is extremely versatile, thriving in positions that demand durability and texture. Its upright, 2-foot stature makes it an excellent choice for the middle or back of perennial borders, where its silvery-gray, ferny foliage provides fine contrast against broader-leaved neighbors. It integrates seamlessly into cottage gardens or more informal settings like wild gardens and naturalized meadows, where its drought tolerance shines.
When grouping this Yarrow, consider planting it in mass sweeps for maximum impact. The pale yellow plumes look stunning when paired with plants that bloom in blues, deep purples, or stark whites, such as Salvia, Russian Sage (Perovskia), or white Shasta Daisies. It also functions beautifully as an accent specimen or along walkways where its sturdy stems stand well on their own.
The excellent value of this Achillea as a cut flower—both fresh and dried—means its placement should maximize ease of access for harvesting. Because Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA resists deer browsing and tolerates dry soil, it is a reliable choice for sunny, difficult-to-water areas of the landscape where consistent performance is key.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus Achillea includes about 85 species native primarily to the Northern Hemisphere, many of which are herbaceous perennials. ANTHEA (a hybrid of A. Clypeolata x A. ‘Moonshine’) is recognized as a compact, clump-forming Yarrow noted for its fern-like, aromatic, silvery-gray leaves. Its tiny, long-lasting, pale yellow flowers appear in flat-topped clusters across stiff, erect stems, offering superior resistance to common foliar diseases seen in similar cultivars.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
While generally tough, Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA can occasionally face fungal challenges, particularly if air circulation is poor or moisture settles on the foliage. Watch for Botrytis, stem rot, powdery mildew, and rust, especially in humid conditions or crowded plantings. Good air circulation, achieved by spacing plants appropriately and ensuring full sun exposure, is the primary defense against these issues.
In excessively rich soils or shaded areas, the stems of this Yarrow can become taller and weaker, making them susceptible to lodging. Strong summer rains combined with wind can flatten exposed plantings that have not been cut back earlier in the season. If staking becomes necessary for taller plants, ensure it is done subtly to maintain the natural aesthetic. If the site remains wet, fungal rots will quickly compromise the clump, emphasizing the need for excellent drainage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Yarrow suitable for?
Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA grow?
This compact Yarrow typically reaches a mature height between 1.5 to 2 feet tall, spreading the same distance, 1.5 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Yarrow need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to perform best, ensuring sturdy stems and prolific flowering.
When does Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA bloom?
The bloom period for this light yellow-flowering Yarrow generally spans from May into July.
Conclusion
Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA is an indispensable perennial, offering low-maintenance beauty with its fine, silvery foliage and reliable pale yellow flowers. Its durability against deer and drought makes this Yarrow a dependable structural element in sunny borders. Before planting, confirm your soil offers good drainage and that your location provides adequate sun exposure to maximize the performance of your Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate neighbors can enhance the visual appeal and overall health of your Yarrow planting. Because Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA prefers dry, lean soil and full sun, pair it with other Mediterranean or drought-tolerant perennials that share these cultural needs. Good companions include Lavender (Lavandula), which echoes the silvery tones, and various Coneflowers (Echinacea) or Sedums, which bloom later and appreciate similar sun and drainage conditions.
Avoid planting this Yarrow directly next to moisture-loving perennials like Hostas or Astilbes, as the wet feet required by those plants will rapidly degrade the health of the Achillea. The fine texture of the Yarrow foliage looks fantastic contrasted against coarser, upright plants like ornamental grasses or plants with large, rounded leaves, creating textural depth in the border.
Propagation Tips
The most effective way to maintain the specific characteristics of Achillea ‘Anblo’ ANTHEA is through division, a practice recommended every three to four years. When dividing, lift the clump in early spring or fall, separating it into smaller sections, ensuring each new piece has a substantial crown and healthy root structure. Healthy divisions can then be replanted immediately into prepared soil.
While Yarrow can technically be grown from seed, hybridization means seed-grown plants may revert or produce variable flower colors, negating the purpose of choosing the ANTHEA cultivar. For best results, particularly since this is an established hybrid, rely solely on clump division to propagate more of this specific pale yellow variety.
