Achillea 'Credo'
In 2011 the new Bowes-Lyon Rose Garden was opened on Weather Hill. One of the most beautiful plants in the mix was pale creamy yellow Achillea 'Credo', which looks particularly good alongside the spiky blue tall Perovskia at the top of the garden. Now in 2012 it is looking even better.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Yarrow 'Credo'
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height & spread
- 1m (3ft) by 1m (3ft)
- Form
- Herbaceous perennial
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Aspect
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Hardy throughout the British Isles
Achillea
Achillea is a genus of around 85 perennials from temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Some are low-growing or mat-forming, others are upright perennials, mostly herbaceous, with sometimes aromatic leaves and flattened clusters of small, daisy-like flower-heads.
Achillea cultivars are available in a wide colour range from white to yellow, pink and red. They make good cut flowers, and are suitable for rock gardens and mixed borders. Taller plants may need staking. Contact with the foliage may cause skin irritation.
Achillea is named in honour of Achilles, the Trojan warrior who was taught the properties of this plant in healing wounds.
Achillea 'Credo'
Achillea ‘Credo’ is an upright perennial with finely-cut foliage and flat heads of creamy-yellow flowers. It is sometimes short lived but easy to propagate by division in spring. The flowering peaks in July when the flowers are a bright creamy yellow, but they gradually and subtly fade to a paler yellow.
Cultivation
- Grow in an open sunny position in moist but well-drained soil. It is relatively tolerant apart from heavy, wet clay in winter.
- Cut back untidy foliage in spring.
- May require staking.
- Generally free from pests but young growth may suffer from slugs and aphids. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring.
AGM
The RHS Floral Trials Sub-Committee awarded Achillea ‘Credo’ an Award of Garden Merit and described it as follows:
'floriferous; soft creamy yellow flowerheads, fading off-white; delicate foliage; peaking in July with a good late flush in September; very tall on heavy soil, on sandy soil almost an annual.'