Yarrow (Achillea 'Summerwine')
Achillea 'Summerwine' Yarrow delivers striking burgundy red summer blooms. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in full sun and dry soil.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Achillea ‘Summerwine’, commonly known as Yarrow, brings rich burgundy red color to the summer garden, distinguishing itself from the more traditional white cultivars. This rhizomatous perennial offers deeply-dissected, fern-like dark green foliage that provides excellent texture throughout the growing season. Gardeners prize Achillea ‘Summerwine’ for its robust nature and ease of care, making it an ideal choice for sunny, dry locations where other plants might struggle.
As a Galaxy Hybrid cultivar, Achillea ‘Summerwine’ boasts stronger stems and larger flower clusters than many other Yarrow types, minimizing the need for support. Its long bloom time, spanning from June into September, ensures reliable seasonal interest. Because it tolerates poor soils and drought once established, this cultivar is highly valued in sustainable and naturalized landscapes.
This adaptable perennial is relatively short, typically reaching 1 to 2 feet tall, making it an excellent structural element for the middle or front of a border. Whether used en masse for a tapestry effect or as a standalone specimen, Achillea ‘Summerwine’ offers longevity and vibrant color with minimal input from the gardener.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1-2 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Burgundy red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best placement for Achillea ‘Summerwine’ is in a location receiving full sun throughout the day. Planting should occur in lean, dry to medium moisture, well-drained sandy loams. While it performs well in average garden soils, this Yarrow strongly dislikes heavy clays and overly rich, moist environments, which can promote floppiness and disease.
Once established, watering needs are minimal; allow the soil to dry out between waterings, reflecting its high drought tolerance. Fertilization is generally not required, as lean soils are preferred. Aggressive feeding encourages excessive foliage growth at the expense of abundant flowers.
Maintenance is generally low for this hardy perennial. Deadheading spent flower heads down to the nearest lateral buds during the season will encourage repeat blooming for your Achillea ‘Summerwine’. After the main flush of color fades, cut the plant back to the basal leaves to tidy the appearance and encourage renewed growth, potentially leading to an additional fall bloom. Dividing clumps every 3 to 4 years helps maintain vigor. Siting plants where they are protected from strong winds is also advisable, especially when the flower stalks are tall.
Landscape Uses
Achillea ‘Summerwine’ excels in settings that mimic its preferred dry, sunny conditions. Its upright habit and tough constitution make it suitable for borders, where it can provide color relief alongside slower-growing perennials. Consider using this Yarrow in cottage gardens or wild gardens, where it blends seamlessly with ornamental grasses and other drought-tolerant natives.
For a striking effect, plant Achillea ‘Summerwine’ in groups or masses to showcase the deep burgundy color across a wider area. It also performs admirably in naturalized areas or meadows alongside coneflowers and coreopsis, creating low-maintenance tapestries of texture and bloom. Its excellent qualities as a cut flower mean it should be near the cutting garden entrance.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
Noteworthy Characteristics
Achillea is a genus of about 85 species of mostly herbaceous perennial from the Northern Hemisphere. ‘Summerwine’ is a rhizomatous, upright-spreading yarrow that is noted for its burgundy red flowers and dark green foliage, originating as a Galaxy Hybrid cultivar. It features deeply-dissected, fern-like, dark green leaves and tiny, long-lasting, burgundy red flowers that gradually fade to pink as they age, held in dense, flattened corymbs up to 5 inches across.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Air Pollution
Potential Problems
Occasional disease issues can appear, including Botrytis, stem rot, powdery mildew, and rust, often exacerbated by high humidity or wet foliage. To mitigate these fungal concerns, ensure excellent air circulation by providing full sun and avoiding overcrowding; never plant this Yarrow in a perpetually wet site. Taller plants might require staking if situated in spots that receive less than full sun, as weak stems are more susceptible to snapping in heavy summer rainstorms accompanied by high winds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Yarrow (Achillea ‘Summerwine’) suitable for?
Achillea ‘Summerwine’ is highly adaptable and suitable for cultivation across USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Yarrow grow?
This perennial generally matures to a height between 1 and 2 feet tall, with a similar spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Achillea ‘Summerwine’ need?
This specific Yarrow cultivar requires full sun exposure to achieve its best performance, robust flowering, and strong stem structure.
When does Achillea ‘Summerwine’ bloom?
The bloom time for Achillea ‘Summerwine’ is typically from the beginning of June and continues through September, displaying striking burgundy red flowers.
Conclusion
The rich, long-lasting color and exceptional drought tolerance make Achillea ‘Summerwine’ a workhorse for sunny, dry garden spaces. This cultivar provides vital texture and reliable performance, justifying its spot in perennial borders or informal settings. Assess your site conditions—ensuring full sun and well-drained soil—before planting this valuable Yarrow this season.
Companion Planting
When planning beds featuring Achillea ‘Summerwine’, select companions carefully based on shared cultural needs for sun and dry soil. Plants that thrive in lean conditions, such as Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) or certain varieties of Sedum, pair beautifully with Yarrow’s fine texture. Avoid moisture-loving plants, as elevated soil conditions will compromise the health and vigor of your Achillea.
Consider using silver-leaved companions, like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina), to contrast against the dark green foliage of the ‘Summerwine’ cultivar while maintaining drought tolerance. These combinations create dynamic, low-water perennial displays that look naturalistic and require minimal intervention once established.
Design Ideas for Achillea ‘Summerwine’
The deep burgundy red of Achillea ‘Summerwine’ acts as a fantastic transitional color when integrating warm tones (yellows, oranges) with cooler shades (purples, blues) in a border design. Use its upright habit to provide vertical accents without overwhelming shorter foreground plantings. In cottage gardens, let it mingle freely, embracing its naturalized charm.
For contemporary or xeriscape designs, massing the burgundy domes of this Yarrow against pale gravel or structural agave provides strong textural contrast. Because the dried flower heads hold their color well, consider leaving a few stems standing for late-season interest or harvesting them immediately for dried arrangements, ensuring continuous appeal.
