Plant in full sun to light shade and give moderate watering for best appearance but can survive with very little irrigation and is cold hardy to <0 degrees F. An attractive plant that is a good nectar source for butterflies and other beneficial insects but left alone by deer. This long-time favorite is one of the darker pink yarrows.

Few plant species have a range as wide as this species as it can be found growing naturally in Europe, Asia and North America and since noted differences are observed, both morphologically and genetic, it is called a species complex. One thought is it originated in Asia and spread from there in millennia past taking advantage of its ability to grow well in disturbed sites until its range was circumboreal, meaning throughout the northern hemisphere. Though there are selections made of plants naturally growing in California, this selection was a selection made in Europe, so we do not list it as a native California plant. The name Achillea was named for the Greek mythological character Achilles, who in Homer's Iliad was a student of the centaur Chiron, known for his great knowledge of medicine. Achilles' soldiers in the battle against Troy used yarrow to treat wounds garnering the plant herbal fame and giving it common names such as allheal and bloodwort. Legend had it that the plant sprung from Achilles spear. The specific epithet millefolium means "thousand-leaf" in reference to its fern-like foliage.

Since 1985, when we first started growing this plant, we have always vegetatively propagated this plant from our own stock plants and believe our selection of this fine cultivar to be superior to the 'seed' raised plants that are often offered under this same name. 

This information about Achillea millefolium 'Cerise Queen' displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.