Introduction

Achillea, also known as yarrow, is a popular perennial plant known for its beautiful flowers and feathery foliage. It’s a versatile plant that can be grown in a variety of settings, including borders, wildlife gardens, and gravel gardens. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about growing achillea, from planting to propagation and care.

Choosing the Right Location

Achillea prefers well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but it’s important to avoid waterlogged areas. Achilleas look great in the middle of an ornamental border or wildlife garden, and they’re also a good choice for growing in gravel gardens.

Planting Achillea

The best time to plant achillea is in spring. Dig a hole that is deeper and wider than the pot the plant came in. Add a handful of horticultural grit to the hole for added drainage. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and firm the soil around the plant. Water in well.

Caring for Achillea

Achilleas are relatively low-maintenance plants. Here are a few tips for keeping your plants healthy and blooming:

• Cut back old foliage in spring.
• Deadhead flowers throughout the summer to encourage more blooms.
• Divide clumps every three to five years to revitalize the plants.
• Water plants regularly, especially during hot weather.
• Fertilize plants lightly in spring.

Propagating Achillea

The best way to propagate achillea is by division in spring. You can also take cuttings in early spring. To take cuttings, pull away new shoots, leaving a heel, and plant into potting compost with added sand. Your cuttings should form new roots after a few weeks and can be potted on into individual pots when the plants are well established.

Some varieties of achillea will self-seed, but the resulting plants may not be true to type. If you want to collect seeds, allow a few flowerheads to go to seed. You can sow the seeds in autumn or spring.

Problem Solving

Achilleas can suffer from aphids and powdery mildew. To prevent these problems, keep plants well-watered and avoid overcrowding. If you do notice aphids or powdery mildew, treat the plants with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide.

Five Great Achillea Varieties

There are many different varieties of achillea to choose from. Here are five of our favorites:

• Achillea ‘Moonshine’: A variety with gray-green foliage and pretty light yellow flowers.
• Achillea filipendulina ‘Cloth of Gold’: With light green foliage and deep golden blooms.
• Achillea millefolium ‘Cerise Queen’: One of the pink varieties. The cerise flower heads have dark margins and paler coloring towards the center.
• Achillea millefolium ‘Fanal’: The bright orange-red flowers with yellow eyes are very striking.
• Achillea ‘Terracotta’: The beautiful blooms open orange and fade to yellow with age.

Conclusion

Achillea is a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant that can add a touch of color and interest to any garden. With its long blooming period and variety of colors and forms, achillea is a great choice for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Introduction

Liriope, also known as lilyturf, is a perennial plant that’s both beautiful and easy to care for. It’s a popular choice for groundcover, borders, and even as an alternative to grass in lawns. Liriope is tolerant of heat, humidity, and requires minimal maintenance to thrive.

Does Liriope Need to Be Divided?

Unlike many other plants, liriope doesn’t necessarily need to be divided. However, there are some reasons why you might want to consider dividing your liriope plants:

• To increase the number of plants in your garden
• To start new flower beds
• To control the size of your liriope clumps

How to Divide Liriope

Dividing liriope is a simple process:

1. Dig up the plant: Carefully dig up the entire liriope plant, including the root ball.
2. Cut the root ball: Use a sharp knife or shovel to cut through the root ball into smaller sections.
3. Divide into desired number of plants: Continue cutting the root ball until you have the desired number of plants.
4. Plant the new liriope: Find a suitable planting location that receives ample sunlight and has well-draining soil. Water the newly planted liriope weekly until it becomes established.

When to Divide Liriope

Ideally, liriope should be divided in early spring before new growth begins. However, due to its hardy nature, it can also be divided successfully later in the season.

Benefits of Dividing Liriope

Dividing liriope offers several benefits:

• Increased growth: Dividing liriope encourages new growth and helps to maintain healthy, vigorous plants.
• Larger plantings: By dividing your liriope plants, you can easily increase the number of plants in your garden or create larger plantings.
• Control plant size: If your liriope clumps are becoming too large, dividing them can help to control their size and prevent them from becoming overgrown.

Tips for Successful Liriope Division

• Use a sharp knife or shovel to cut through the root ball cleanly.
• Divide the plant into sections that each have a healthy root system.
• Plant the new liriope divisions immediately in well-draining soil.
• Water the newly planted liriope regularly until it becomes established.

Conclusion

Dividing liriope is a simple and effective way to increase the number of plants in your garden, control the size of your liriope clumps, and maintain healthy, vigorous plants. By following these simple steps, you can successfully divide your liriope and enjoy its beauty for years to come.