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Achilleas are in vogue again thanks in part to the many different colours and cultivars that have become available in recent years. Achillea was named by Linnaeus the modern father of horticulture in honour of the Greek hero Achilles. They are generally short-lived perennials with flat plate-like flowerheads held high on tall stems and ferny foliage beneath. This one has has masses of rich terracotta flowers that fade to soft yellow in autumn. It is long flowering and drought-tolerant. Try it in a sunny spot towards the back of an herbaceous border in a border of hot colours or among grasses. The flowerheads contrast well withthe spire-like and spiky flowers of Salvia veronicastrum and Eryngium(sea holly). It makes an excellent cut flower too.

• Garden care: Achilleas do not like wet soil. Stake using bamboo canes or brushwood before the flowers appear. Cut down to the ground in late winter but resist the urge to do this earlier as the seed heads look lovely inthe winter light. Pull out seedlings as they appear as they rarely match the parent plant. Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn orearly spring.