Achillea millefolium 'Lilac Beauty'
yarrow
- Position: full sun
- Soil: well-drained, non-acidic
- Rate of Growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: May to August
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Achilleas are in vogue again, thanks in part to the many different colours and improved cultivars that have become available in recent years. Achillea was named by Linnaeus, the modern father of horticulture, in honour of the Greek hero Achilles They are generally short-lived perennials, with flat, plate-like flowerheads held high above ferny foliage. This one produces a profusion of rosy lilac flowers which fade slightly with age to a lavender pink. Best in full sun in the middle rank of the border where it will associate well with the dark spires of Salvia nemerosa and any of the Nepta family. Achilleas will attract many beneficial insects, including bees, butterflies and hoverflies to the garden. - Garden care: Protect from slugs. Stake using twiggy stems before the flowers appear. Cut back after first flowering to encourage a secondary flush in late summer/early autumn. Old clumps can be revived by lifting, splitting and replanting in spring.
Aquilegia vulgaris var.stellata 'Blue Barlow' (Barlow Series)
granny's bonnet
Stunning violet-blue double flowers
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
sage (syn. Salvia May Night)
Large indigo-blue flowers
Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldtau'
tufted hair grass (syn. Golden Dew)
Feathery grass for sun or shade
Echinacea purpurea
coneflower
Long lasting, rosy purple flowers.
Verbena bonariensis
verbena
Lilac-purple flowers
Artemisia ludoviciana 'Valerie Finnis'
Western mugwort
Decorative, silvery foliage
Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna'
sage
Dazzling purple blooms
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This lilac-mauve achillea matures to a dignified silver-rinse grey - making the perfect foil for vibrant penstemons, bright hardy salvias and rich-purple
Val Bourne - Garden Writer