Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Achillea ptarmica Marshmallow
Achillea ptarmica Marshmallow
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Achillea ptarmica 'Marshmallow' Seeds
If you love the look of Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) in bouquets but want a plant that is tougher, hardier, and returns every year, 'Marshmallow' is the answer. Instead of the flat plates of standard Yarrow, this variety produces loose, airy sprays of fully double, pure white blooms.
The flowers look exactly like tiny marshmallows or popcorn buttons. It is a vigorous, cheerful plant that provides the essential "white noise" in a border, breaking up bold colours and knitting planting schemes together. It is unmatched as a cut flower filler, lasting well in water and drying beautifully for winter arrangements.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Achillea ptarmica is a Hardy Perennial.
This is a different species to the common Yarrow (*Achillea millefolium*). In the wild, it is known as "Sneezewort" and grows in damp meadows. This means 'Marshmallow' tolerates wetter soils much better than standard Yarrow.
The "Spreader": This plant grows from rhizomes (underground stems). It will slowly spread to form a generous clump, giving you plenty of material to divide and share with friends after a few years.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Achillea is very easy to grow from seed and often flowers in its first year if sown early.
Germination:
Sow indoors from February to April. Surface sow onto moist compost and do not cover (seeds need light to germinate). Keep warm (18-20°C). Germination takes 10-14 days.
Where to Sow:
Plant out after the last frost. Unlike other Yarrows, *ptarmica* doesn't mind damp soil, but it still prefers full sun or partial shade. It tends to flop in deep shade.
Care While Growing:
The "Chelsea Chop": To keep plants compact and bushy, cut the stems back by one-third in late May (around the time of the Chelsea Flower Show). This delays flowering slightly but results in stronger stems that don't need staking.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Achillea ptarmica 'Marshmallow' |
| Common Name | Sneezewort / Pearl Yarrow |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy Perennial) |
| Light Required | Full Sun or Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 75cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 60cm (Clump forming) |
| Spacing | 🌱 45cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flower Filler 🌧️ Damp Soils 🏡 Cottage Gardens 🍂 Drying |
| Seed Count | Approx. 200 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The frothy white texture of 'Marshmallow' is the perfect foil for bold spikes and hot colours:
- 💙 Larkspur / Delphinium: The Shape Contrast. The tall, solid blue spikes of Larkspur rise beautifully out of the soft, white cloud of the Achillea.
- 🌹 Roses: The Classic Duo. Just like Gypsophila, Achillea ptarmica is the traditional partner for shrub roses, hiding their "leggy" stems with a skirt of white blooms.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors Spring/Autumn. Flowers June to September.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Spread Alert
This plant spreads via underground rhizomes. This is great for filling gaps quickly, but in very rich, loose soil, it can be vigorous. Lift and divide the clump every 3 years in spring to keep it energetic and under control.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This variety is often grown under the name 'The Pearl', a cultivar which holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, recognising it as a stable, high-performing garden plant.
