Two Achillea varieties, both glamorous and rich in uses
Typical Achillea (Yarrow) plants make a tall and stately presence in the garden. Popular colors are yellow gold and cerise red.
Today’s blog features two varieties of naturally compact Yarrow, ‘Ritzy Roze’ and ‘Ritzy Ruby’. Both varieties are suitable for use in rock gardens, front of borders or containers. These stunning Achillea varieties have two different cerise-red color intensities that are earlier to bloom than taller varieties. We recommend using with Achillea ‘Little Moonshine’. ‘Little Moonshine’ has a compact habit, but with a different golden yellow flower color, for tidy garden accents.
Achillea ‘Ritzy Rose’ and ‘Ritzy Ruby’ come to Rozanne and Friends® from Syngenta breeding.
‘Ritzy Rose’ has rosy-pink flowers with a lighter pink center.
‘Ritzy Ruby’ flowers start as dark ruby red and mature as dark pink, with a distinct lighter pink center.
For both ‘Ritzy Rose’ and ‘Ritzy Ruby’, spread is 10 to 14-inches (25 to 36 cm) in North America; 20-inches (50 cm) in UK. Expected height is 10 to 14-inches (25 to 36 cm) in North America; 6 to 8-inches (15 to 20 cm) in UK.
Like Centaurea, this genus has some Greek folklore. Chiron the Centaur taught the Greek hero Achilles the healing properties of plants. Achilles later used poultices from his namesake, Achillea, to heal wounds of his soldiers.
For growers
- Typically plant 1 liner per quart (1 liter) or 1 liner per 6 to 8-inch (1 gallon, 4 liters) pots
- Needs extra time to size up before overwintering. Plant in late summer to early fall and allow plants to bulk before vernalization. Overwinter outdoors or inside cold greenhouses. Allow plants to emerge and flower with naturally occurring spring temperatures. This method provides larger plants, more uniformity and more flowers.
- Alternatively, plant vernalized liners in March and April, but only in quarts (1 liter). Plants will not be as uniform, full or floriferous as in bulked, overwintered crops.
- Media pH: 6.0 to 7.0; media EC: 1.0 to 1.2 mmhos/cm (saturated paste).
- Watch for aphids, spider mites, botrytis.
- Like most plants with gray-green foliage, do not over water.
- See our ‘Ritzy Rose’ and ‘Ritzy Ruby’ technical guide for more information.
In the garden
- For front garden borders. Also, great in containers.
- Resistant to deer, butterfly and bee attracter, long bloom period
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8. AHS Heat Zone: 9 to 1. Prefers cooler regions.
- Grow in full sun.
- Prefers well-drained garden soils.
- Tolerates heat and drought. However, will suffer in high humidity.
- Remove spent flowers for a tidier appearance. Although it blooms sporadically throughout the summer, you can shear plants after initial flowering for a later rebloom flush.