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Herbaceous Perennial

Achillea ageratum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

English mace

A clump-forming perennial to 80cm tall with green, divided or shallowly-toothed leaves to 5cm long and many small flowerheads made up of clusters of tiny yellow flowers in summer

Other common names
flossflower
sweet maudlin
see moresweet milfoil
sweet Nancy
sweet yarrow
Synonyms
Achillea decolorans
Achillea serrata

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained, Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Achillea can be mat-forming or upright perennials, mostly herbaceous, with sometimes aromatic, pinnately divided or simple and toothed leaves and flattened clusters of small, daisy-like flower-heads

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Europe, Morocco

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, sunny position in well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut back untidy foliage in spring; deadheading may encourage repeat flowering in the summer

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

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