PlantFiles: Sneezewort, Sneezeweed, Brideflower
Achillea ptarmica 'The Pearl'

I bought this plant last year as an annual to 'fill out pots nicely.' This spring it came up in two different pots, even with our terrible winter in Chicago. I am planning to divide it and try it in several locations.
Francesseth

Words cannot describe how much I have come to love this beautiful, airy little unusual yarrow (other gardeners often express surprise at being told it is a yarrow). Last year, I planted it in the windiest and driest part of a windy, poor-soil, hot, sloped garden bed and it stood up beautifully, blooming freely until frost. Additionally, in this particular site's conditions, it hasn't volunteered once, which is an added bonus given other gardeners' complaints!

ACHILLEA Ptarmica THE PEARL Medium 2' - Plant 14" apart. Larger, double white pearl shaped flowers.


General Information
Very similar in appearance to Baby's Breath - open and airy. Likes a well drained soil. Spreads to fill in.

(FROM BLUESTONE)

A friend gave me two of these plants last year, this year they turned in to a mass! I live in the Yukon in Canada, Zone 3, and apparently they are very happy here.

I've read that this is not supposed to spread as much as other yarrows, but it does like to spread. I have to constantly pull it back. It would likely be better behaved if it was in poorer soil. It does bloom over a long span of time. When it starts looking bad, I cut it back, and it grows back and reblooms.

I have read that it is hardy in zones 2-10. Light aids germination of seeds.

It does make a good cutting for filling in an arrangement. It grows easily in eastern WV and spreads very readily (perhaps a negative if you are not careful). I do not water it and it grows in a clay soil.

This plant was a volunteer in my garden last year, and it was a beauty, growing in the midst of my obedient plants and rubeckia. Those little white flowers just glow!

I looked for it this year and have found one sprout coming up, which isn't too bad considering how bad a spreader it is supposed to be.

A popular and easy to grow perennial, which can be of great value to those who dry flowers for arrangements. The plant has small, white, double flowers in profusion on long, 2'-3' stems that bloom throughout the summer.

To sow from seed: sow in late spring to flower the following year. It can spread rapidly, so give it space in the middle or back of a border. It likes full sun or partial shade in hotter areas and well-drained soil. Suceptible to mildew and may need to be treated during the summer.

To dry: cut when the flowers are well open but before the oldest flowes on the stem start to show signs of browning. Rain can damage the quality of the flowers, so cut back poor quality stems and wait for a second flush. Hang upside down in a warm (not hot) place with good air circulation. Drying too fast at high temps can cause browning, but drying too slowly may result in color loss on the stems and leaves and give a less fresh appearance.