Achillea distans ssp. tanacetifolia

Perennial of the Asteraceae family, native to the mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe, from the Alps to the Carpathians and the Balkans, where it grows in high-altitude meadows, forest edges, and grassy slopes, between the montane and subalpine levels.

It forms upright and vigorous clumps, reaching 50 to 80 cm in height, with finely cut, pinnate to bipinnate foliage, ranging from medium green to dark green, reminiscent in texture of a tansy — which is reflected in its epithet tanacetifolia . The leaves are aromatic when crushed, a common characteristic of yarrows.

The flowers are gathered in small white capitula, sometimes very slightly pinkish, grouped in large flat and branched corymbs that crown the upright stems. The effect is that of an airy and generous floral plateau, typical of the genus.

In its natural habitat, flowering extends from July to September depending on altitude and exposure. In cultivation under our latitudes, it blooms from July to August.

It is cultivated in full sun to light partial shade, on ordinary well-drained soil, without particular requirements. Hardy and undemanding, it is suitable for naturalistic beds, flowering meadows, and gardens of alpine or mountain style.