Achillea ageratum
| Achillea ageratum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
Achillea ageratum (common name: mace)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring or early autumn in a cold frame[1]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 3 months[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. If this species is a hybrid it might not breed true from seed.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, the divisions can be planted direct into their permanent positions.
Basal cuttings of new shoots in spring. Very easy, collect the shoots when they are about 10cm tall, potting them up individually in pots and keeping them in a warm but lightly shaded position. They should root within 3 weeks and will be ready to plant out in the summer.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils but prefers a well-drained soil in a sunny position[2][3]. It also succeeds in partial shade[4]. Plants live longer in a poor soil[3]. Established plants are very drought tolerant, they can show distress in very severe droughts but usually recover[5]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[6].
Hardy to about -20°c[4].
An excellent plant to grow in a large pot, the long stems will tend to arch down and continue to flower for a long time[7]. The leaves have a pungent aroma, especially when the plant is grown in a hot sunny position[8].
The plant is intermediate between A. millefolium and A. ptarmica in its characteristics[6]. There is at least one named variety, selected for its ornamental value[6].
Hybridizes freely with other members of the genus[3].
Range: Europe - Greece.
Habitat: The origin of this plant is uncertain, it is possibly a hybrid, A. ptarmica x A. macrocephala[4].
Edibility: Leaves - raw or cooked. The initial flavour is mild and pleasant, though it becomes stronger and aromatic when the leaves are chewed, and leaves a tingly sensation in the mouth[K]. They make an acceptable addition to mixed salads, the plant is very productive, though the leaves are rather small and fiddly to pick in quantity[K]. They are also used in soups, stews etc., and as a flavouring in potato salad etc[9].
The aromatic leaves are used as a tea substitute[9].
Pollinators: Insects
Notes: We could supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Early Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: A. decolorans. Schrad. A. serrata.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan, 1987.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.