Achillea ptarmica Peter Cottontail

Description

Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ – sneezewort

Botanical name: Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’
Common names: Sneezewort
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, spreading, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 50–60cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Narrow, toothed, green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Sprays of small, neat, double white button flowers through summer (June–August)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun
Soil: Moist but well-drained; tolerates a range including moister soils; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 3–8
Exposure: Open, sunny
Native range: Species native to Europe including the UK, and Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ is a cheerful perennial bearing sprays of neat, double white button flowers through summer. Easy and long-flowering, it is superb for borders, cutting and pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

A pretty and easy perennial, ‘Peter Cottontail’ produces airy sprays of small, neat, double white button flowers over a long summer season, like tiny white pompoms above narrow green foliage. Fresh, cottage-garden-charming and excellent for cutting, it is a magnet for bees and hoverflies. Unlike its drought-loving yarrow relatives, sneezewort tolerates moister soils, and it spreads steadily, so it may need occasional restraint.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained soil in full sun — it tolerates a wider range of soils than most yarrows, including moister ground. Space about 45cm apart. Water well while establishing. It spreads by rhizomes, so allow room or lift and divide to keep it in bounds.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Deadhead to prolong flowering, and cut back after flowering. It spreads steadily, so lift and divide every couple of years in spring both to propagate it and to keep it in check. Support with twiggy sticks in rich soil, where growth can be lax. Cut down old growth in late winter.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. Powdery mildew can occasionally occur, and its main trait is a spreading habit that may need controlling. Otherwise easy and robust.

Uses in the garden

Superb in cottage, mixed and wildlife borders and cutting gardens, where its neat white pompom flowers bring a long season of fresh colour; excellent as a cut and dried flower.

Wildlife value

The flowers are attractive to bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects through summer.

Toxicity & safety

Sneezewort is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Peter Cottontail’ is a lovely thing for a cottage border or cutting patch — dainty double white buttons all summer that bees enjoy and that cut beautifully. Just be aware that, unlike the drought-loving yarrows, it likes it a bit moister and spreads by runners, so lift and divide it every couple of years to keep it where you want it.

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