Achillea ‘Shades of Pink’

Name: Achillea 'Shades of Pink' - Kahikatea Farm Certified Organic Nursery and Permaculture Farm
Price: 9.50 NZD
Availability: InStock

Achillea millefolium 'Shades of Pink'

$9.50

We don’t know where this pink flowering yarrow came from or how it got here, whether is is a cross of other colours here or not, but in the end we don’t mind because it’s gorgeous! The shades of pink seems to keep changing as the weeks go by, from very pale pink through to a mid pink, it’s just lovely! Yarrow is a herbaceous perennial with upright stems from spreading rhizomatous growth. It has distinctive featherlike leaves with a pungent scent similar to that of chrysanthemums. It is a commonly found in lawns and used to be a favoured component in pasture due to its mineral content. Flat flower clusters are formed from early summer, which are loved by pollinating insects. Frost hardy. Height 40 – 60cm when in flower.

9cm pot.

Cultivation

Achillea prefers well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate a wide variety of conditions. Drought hardy once established.

Uses

One of our favourite multi-functional plants, and a great ground cover for sunnier spots in a food forest/forest garden. The leaves are nutritious and small amounts of young leaves can be added to salads or made into a tea. In the Middle Ages, achillea was an ingredient of gruit – a mixture of herbs used in the flavouring of beer, before hops were favoured. (Other ingredients included alehoof, horehound and mugwort, all of which are available from our nursery). Flowers and leaves are still used in some liqueurs and bitters.

Achillea is a good food source for bees, hoverflies, butterflies and birds and very at home in a naturalistic garden. It also improves the soil and the health of plants growing nearby, and can limit erosion by binding the soil, although this property can make it invasive too.

Cut achillea can be soaked in a bucket and used to make a fertilizer or added to a compost heap to aid decomposition. It is a dynamic mineral accumulator and contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and copper. It can be a useful part of a medicinal herbal ley for stock. Dyes can be obtained from the flowers.

Medicinal Uses

Achillea is one of the best diaphoretic herbs. It helps to dilate skin pores and produce sweating so is used in the treatment of fevers specifically as well as colds and sore throats generally. It contains cineol, an antiseptic, often used for urinary infections. It stimulates the digestion and tones the blood vessels. Achillea also has a long history of use as a healing herb – it contains a clotting compound so can be used as a poultice to stem the flow of blood from wounds. A wash from the flowers can be used to treat eczema or the flowers can be infused to make a toning facial steam.

Primary Actions: astringent, diaphoretic, hemostatic, vulnerary

Parts Used: Flowers, leaves

Energetics: Cooling, drying

History / Folklore / Further Info

Achillea has been found with Neanderthal burials, suggesting humans have had a relationship with it for at least 60,000 years.

In classical times the plant was known as herba militaris for its use in stanching the flow of blood in battle wounds. The genus name Achillea is derived from the mythical Greek character Achilles, who reportedly used it to treat his soldiers. (The species name “Millefolium’ (thousand leaves) refers to the featherlike leaves which are minutely divided.)

In many parts of Britain and Ireland achillea was used to find one’s true love.

Shipping Advice

N.B. Shipping costs are added AFTER you have placed your order, you will then be emailed an invoice with bank details.

Smallest box rate:
This can fit up to 9 plants in 9cm pots.

Shipping a single tree can be expensive. We may be able to fit more in the box for the same price! See our shipping rates for single and multi tree boxes.

Combining sizes?
No problem, we will work out the best rate for you once you’ve placed your order.

Medical disclaimer

Jo has a passion for growing herbs but is not a qualified herbalist and has no medical background.

We are lucky to have Patricia Beagle working here at times, who is qualified, and some of her advice does appear on these pages, but herbs act differently for different people and can interact with other medicines. We therefore always recommend that you consult with your own qualified health-care practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medications.

Kahikatea Farm cannot take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants or a plant not having the effect it is reputed to have.