Achillea ptarmica
sneezewort
Overview
Achillea ptarmica is an upright, rhizomatous perennial of the daisy family, growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and spreading steadily by creeping underground stems. Unlike the feathery-leaved yarrows, its leaves are simple and undivided, narrow and lance-shaped, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, with finely toothed, saw-edged margins. From midsummer to early autumn it carries loose, branching clusters of white flowerheads 0.4-0.8 inch (10-18 mm) across, each with white ray florets around a greyish-white center. The dried leaves and roots were once powdered to provoke sneezing, the source of the common name. It grows in damp meadows, marsh edges, ditches, and wet grassland on neutral to acidic soils. The creeping rhizomes spread freely and can push through neighbouring plants, so it can become weedy in borders. Native across most of Europe and into western Asia, it has naturalized in North America. Flowering thins on dry soils, where the foliage also yellows in summer.
Native Range
Achillea ptarmica is native across Europe and into western Asia, from Ireland and Iberia to Siberia. It has naturalized in parts of North America and grows in damp grassland throughout the British Isles.Suggested Uses
Used in damp borders, bog gardens, wildlife plantings, and naturalized grassland, where the white flowers draw bees and hoverflies. The long-stemmed flowerheads are also cut for fresh and dried arrangements.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade on moist, neutral to acidic soils and tolerates seasonally wet ground that many perennials dislike. A soil pH from 5.0 to 7.0 suits it, and it needs little feeding. The rhizomes spread freely, so plants are lifted and divided every two to three years to limit their spread and renew growth. On dry soils the foliage yellows and flowering thins, while in rich, moist ground the stems may need support. It is hardy to USDA zone 3 and dies back to the ground over winter.Pruning
Flowered stems are cut back after the first flush to tidy the plant and prompt a second showing. Faded heads are removed before seed sets to limit self-sowing. Congested clumps are divided in autumn or spring.Pruning Schedule
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons