ACHILLEA crithmifolia

Vigorous herbaceous perennial and evergreen, ground covering and rapidly growing, it is native to Eastern Europe: at its maximum development it does not grow more than 20 cm tall, while its expansion in width, on the surface, is much greater. Equipped with a large and well-developed root system, which moving underground allows it to sprout from the ground even at a distance from the original plant. It looks like a thick clump of tender leaves, finely engraved and slightly tomentose, gray-green and delicately aromatic. Between late spring and the beginning of summer, on this rich silver carpet, numerous flat inflorescences grow; these are supported by slender stems, composed of minute white 5-petalled flowers, much appreciated by bees, butterflies and insects in general.

It prefers sunny and bright locations and adapts only to partial shade. It prefers poor, dry, even gravelly or pebbly soils, but above all well drained. It bears the saltiness typical of sea winds in coastal locations, as well as prolonged periods of drought. It tolerates minimum winter temperatures of several degrees below zero; therefore, it can grow well even in regions characterized by intense and lasting cold. It does not require special interventions: in autumn it can be useful, but only to improve its aesthetic appearance, eliminate withered flower stems and dry or cluttered parts. Its cultivation is excellent on terraces and balconies in full sun in large pots and containers to cover the ground at the base of shrubs and small trees; in the open ground in our garden it is perfect for enriching the rocky area or for retaining the soil of embankments and sloping and steep areas, but also for elegantly and easily upholstering large flower beds, possibly raised.