Achillea 'Peter Cottontail'

Achillea 'Peter Cottontail': A Fluffy Cloud of Blooms

Leap into the enchanting world of Achillea 'Peter Cottontail', a delightful perennial that brings whimsy and charm to any garden setting. Named for its resemblance to the soft, fluffy tail of a cottontail rabbit, this variety stands out with its unique, button-like blooms that create a soft, cloud-like appearance. Perfect for gardeners seeking to add texture, movement, and a touch of playful elegance to their landscapes, 'Peter Cottontail' offers an irresistible combination of beauty and simplicity.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: Grows to a compact and manageable height of 45-60 cm, making it a versatile addition to both the front and middle of borders.
• Spread: Spreads to about 45-60 cm, with its dense, mounded foliage providing a lush, full ground cover that's both attractive and functional.
• Flower Colour: Boasts an abundance of pure white, globular flowers that cluster atop sturdy stems, mimicking the soft appearance of cotton tails dotting the landscape.
• Flowering Period: Begins its enchanting display in early summer and continues through to the fall, ensuring your garden remains a haven of tranquility and charm throughout the growing season.
• Foliage: Features vibrant, green, fern-like foliage that forms a dense and attractive base, perfectly accentuating its whimsical blooms.
• Sunlight Requirements: Flourishes in full sun to partial shade, thriving under the gentle caress of the sun's rays while tolerating cooler, shaded spots.
• Soil Requirements: Adaptable to a range of soil conditions, 'Peter Cottontail' prefers well-drained soils but shows resilience in both dry and moderately fertile environments.

Uses and Benefits: Achillea 'Peter Cottontail' is not just a visual delight; it's also a magnet for pollinators, drawing in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects with its nectar-rich blooms. Its compact size and unique flowering habit make it an excellent choice for borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, and as a whimsical addition to fresh or dried floral arrangements. Beyond its ornamental value, this variety is celebrated for its drought tolerance and low-maintenance care, making it a favorite among busy gardeners and those looking to conserve water.

Companion Plants: Create a serene and inviting garden scape by pairing 'Peter Cottontail' with plants that offer contrasting colors and textures. Consider companions such as Lavender, Salvia, and Echinacea for a delightful mix of form and color, or plant alongside ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue to accentuate its fluffy blooms with fine-textured foliage.

Care Instructions: 'Peter Cottontail' is delightfully easy to care for, requiring minimal attention to thrive. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system; thereafter, it becomes drought-resistant, needing only occasional watering. Deadheading is not necessary, as the plant continues to produce new blooms over old ones. Cut back in late autumn or early spring to encourage vigorous growth and maintain a neat, tidy appearance.

History: As part of the Yarrow family, Achillea 'Peter Cottontail' was developed for its unique bloom structure and garden performance, echoing the playful spirit and enduring charm of its namesake. This variety continues the tradition of offering gardeners new and exciting ways to bring beauty and biodiversity to their outdoor spaces.

Final Thoughts: Achillea 'Peter Cottontail' is a whimsical and charming addition to any garden, inviting onlookers to step into a world of soft blooms and serene beauty. Its ease of care, pollinator-friendly nature, and drought tolerance make it a valuable choice for creating a garden that's both enchanting and eco-conscious. Let 'Peter Cottontail' hop into your garden and transform it into a magical landscape of fluffy white clouds and lively green foliage.