Achillea Ballerina
Achillea 'Ballerina' Seeds
An airy cloud of fully double, pure-white 'tutu' flowers. This compact, self-supporting perennial thrives even in heavy clay, providing a romantic, long-lasting display for borders and vases.
If you absolutely love the airy, cloud-like appearance of Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) but want something that reliably returns year after year with virtually zero fuss, meet your new best friend: 'Ballerina'. This significantly improved variety of our native Sneezewort produces masses upon masses of fully double, pure white flowers that look like tiny, ruffled ballet tutus or little popcorn buttons dancing on slender stems above the foliage.
Unlike older Achillea ptarmica varieties which have a notorious tendency to get leggy and flop everywhere, 'Ballerina' has been specifically bred to be more compact, bushier, and genuinely self-supporting. It forms a neat, low mound of dark green foliage that becomes absolutely smothered in billowing white clouds from early summer right through to autumn. It's incredibly tough and hardy, actually thrives in damp soils where many other plants would rot, and makes a superb long-lasting cut flower with exceptional vase life.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' is a robust Hardy Herbaceous Perennial. It represents the highest hardiness rating in the British Isles (H7), capable of withstanding temperatures below -20°C. While standard Achillea millefolium thrives in dry conditions, ptarmica is biologically adapted for moisture-retentive ground, making it an elite performer in UK gardens with heavy clay soil.
The "Ballerina" Morphology: This cultivar is specifically selected for its improved architecture. Unlike the wild species, it possesses a shorter, more fibrous stem structure (40-60cm) that supports dense sprays of fully double blooms. These rosette-shaped flowers are a result of homeotic mutation where the central disk florets are replaced by additional ray-like petals, creating the "tutu" effect.
Pollinator Value: As an RHS Plant for Pollinators, 'Ballerina' is a high-frequency nectar producer. Its flat-faced blooms serve as accessible landing platforms for British hoverflies and solitary wasps. These beneficial insects provide natural pest control by predating on aphids, making this plant a cornerstone of an organic garden ecosystem.
🌱 Growing Guide
Achillea seeds require specific light triggers and consistent warmth to break dormancy and ensure uniform germination.
How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April. Surface sow the seeds onto moist, high-quality seed compost and do not cover them; Achillea seeds are photoblastic and require light to trigger germination. Simply press them gently into the surface to ensure contact. Maintain a consistent temperature of 18-20°C. Germination is reliable and typically occurs within 7-14 days.
Where to Plant:
They thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer moisture-retentive soil. Unlike most perennials, 'Ballerina' will flourish in heavy clay. Space plants 45cm apart to allow for their spreading, mounded habit. Hardening off gradually before planting out in May or June is essential for young seedlings.
Ongoing Care:
Keep the soil moist until established. To maintain a continuous display until September, perform a "mid-summer cut" in July by removing the spent flower stems; this signals the plant to divert energy into a fresh second wave of white buttons. Every 2-3 years, lift and divide the clumps in early spring to maintain floral vigour and prevent the colony from becoming congested.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' |
| Common Name | Double White Sneezewort / Pearl Yarrow |
| Plant Type | Hardy Herbaceous Perennial |
| Hardiness | H7 (Ultra Hardy - to -20°C) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun / Partial Shade ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 60cm (Compact Mounded Habit) |
| Spread | 60cm |
| Spacing | Plant 45cm apart |
| Flowering Period | June to September |
| Perfect For | ✂️ Durable Cut Flower "Cloud" Filler 🌧️ Moisture-Retentive & Clay Soils 🐝 Specialist Hoverfly & Solitary Wasp Magnet 👰 Romantic & Ethereal Wedding Palettes |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 250 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The bright white tutus of 'Ballerina' pair spectacularly with available partners from our range:
- 💜 Verbena bonariensis: The Airy Duo. A sophisticated, professional-looking combination. The tall, wiry purple stems of Verbena float beautifully above the low white mounds of Achillea, creating a multi-layered display that remains structural well into winter.
- 💗 Rose Campion (Lychnis): The Neon Contrast. For a high-impact aesthetic, pair the shocking magenta-pink blooms and silver foliage of Rose Campion against the pristine white of 'Ballerina'. Both are resilient, low-maintenance cottage garden staples that provide significant textural interest.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Surface sow in spring for a summer-long harvest of white tutus that will return faithfully to your borders year after year.
✨ Naturalistic Light Tip
Achillea seeds require light to wake up. Whether sowing indoors or in a greenhouse, ensure you do not cover the tiny seeds with soil. Simply scatter them onto the surface of the moist compost and pat them down firmly to ensure contact.
🏆 Robust Garden Stamina
Known for its stamina and ability to thrive in moisture-retentive ground, Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' is an essential choice for those wanting to create a romantic, low-maintenance garden that provides non-stop textured filler for the border and the vase.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Perennials →
Original: $3.02
-70%$3.02
$0.91
Description
Achillea 'Ballerina' Seeds
An airy cloud of fully double, pure-white 'tutu' flowers. This compact, self-supporting perennial thrives even in heavy clay, providing a romantic, long-lasting display for borders and vases.
If you absolutely love the airy, cloud-like appearance of Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) but want something that reliably returns year after year with virtually zero fuss, meet your new best friend: 'Ballerina'. This significantly improved variety of our native Sneezewort produces masses upon masses of fully double, pure white flowers that look like tiny, ruffled ballet tutus or little popcorn buttons dancing on slender stems above the foliage.
Unlike older Achillea ptarmica varieties which have a notorious tendency to get leggy and flop everywhere, 'Ballerina' has been specifically bred to be more compact, bushier, and genuinely self-supporting. It forms a neat, low mound of dark green foliage that becomes absolutely smothered in billowing white clouds from early summer right through to autumn. It's incredibly tough and hardy, actually thrives in damp soils where many other plants would rot, and makes a superb long-lasting cut flower with exceptional vase life.
Read More
🌿 Understanding the Plant
Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' is a robust Hardy Herbaceous Perennial. It represents the highest hardiness rating in the British Isles (H7), capable of withstanding temperatures below -20°C. While standard Achillea millefolium thrives in dry conditions, ptarmica is biologically adapted for moisture-retentive ground, making it an elite performer in UK gardens with heavy clay soil.
The "Ballerina" Morphology: This cultivar is specifically selected for its improved architecture. Unlike the wild species, it possesses a shorter, more fibrous stem structure (40-60cm) that supports dense sprays of fully double blooms. These rosette-shaped flowers are a result of homeotic mutation where the central disk florets are replaced by additional ray-like petals, creating the "tutu" effect.
Pollinator Value: As an RHS Plant for Pollinators, 'Ballerina' is a high-frequency nectar producer. Its flat-faced blooms serve as accessible landing platforms for British hoverflies and solitary wasps. These beneficial insects provide natural pest control by predating on aphids, making this plant a cornerstone of an organic garden ecosystem.
🌱 Growing Guide
Achillea seeds require specific light triggers and consistent warmth to break dormancy and ensure uniform germination.
How to Sow:
Sow indoors from February to April. Surface sow the seeds onto moist, high-quality seed compost and do not cover them; Achillea seeds are photoblastic and require light to trigger germination. Simply press them gently into the surface to ensure contact. Maintain a consistent temperature of 18-20°C. Germination is reliable and typically occurs within 7-14 days.
Where to Plant:
They thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer moisture-retentive soil. Unlike most perennials, 'Ballerina' will flourish in heavy clay. Space plants 45cm apart to allow for their spreading, mounded habit. Hardening off gradually before planting out in May or June is essential for young seedlings.
Ongoing Care:
Keep the soil moist until established. To maintain a continuous display until September, perform a "mid-summer cut" in July by removing the spent flower stems; this signals the plant to divert energy into a fresh second wave of white buttons. Every 2-3 years, lift and divide the clumps in early spring to maintain floral vigour and prevent the colony from becoming congested.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Botanical Name | Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' |
| Common Name | Double White Sneezewort / Pearl Yarrow |
| Plant Type | Hardy Herbaceous Perennial |
| Hardiness | H7 (Ultra Hardy - to -20°C) |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun / Partial Shade ☀️ |
| Height | 40cm - 60cm (Compact Mounded Habit) |
| Spread | 60cm |
| Spacing | Plant 45cm apart |
| Flowering Period | June to September |
| Perfect For | ✂️ Durable Cut Flower "Cloud" Filler 🌧️ Moisture-Retentive & Clay Soils 🐝 Specialist Hoverfly & Solitary Wasp Magnet 👰 Romantic & Ethereal Wedding Palettes |
| Seeds per Packet | Approximately 250 seeds |
🤝 Beautiful Garden Combinations
The bright white tutus of 'Ballerina' pair spectacularly with available partners from our range:
- 💜 Verbena bonariensis: The Airy Duo. A sophisticated, professional-looking combination. The tall, wiry purple stems of Verbena float beautifully above the low white mounds of Achillea, creating a multi-layered display that remains structural well into winter.
- 💗 Rose Campion (Lychnis): The Neon Contrast. For a high-impact aesthetic, pair the shocking magenta-pink blooms and silver foliage of Rose Campion against the pristine white of 'Ballerina'. Both are resilient, low-maintenance cottage garden staples that provide significant textural interest.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Surface sow in spring for a summer-long harvest of white tutus that will return faithfully to your borders year after year.
✨ Naturalistic Light Tip
Achillea seeds require light to wake up. Whether sowing indoors or in a greenhouse, ensure you do not cover the tiny seeds with soil. Simply scatter them onto the surface of the moist compost and pat them down firmly to ensure contact.
🏆 Robust Garden Stamina
Known for its stamina and ability to thrive in moisture-retentive ground, Achillea ptarmica 'Ballerina' is an essential choice for those wanting to create a romantic, low-maintenance garden that provides non-stop textured filler for the border and the vase.
📖 Want more detailed growing advice?
View our Complete Growing Guide for Perennials →
