I have dark sandy soil in East Anglia and my achillea Terracotta has grown about 4 feet tall, it said 75cm on the label. I planted a Helenium that said 1 metre behind it but the helenium is about 50cm so far. I'll have to swap them next year. The achillea is quite floppy but has huge plates of flowers so I've had to stake it. It's a lot bigger and thicker than the one in the photo above. I didn't want it that big. Maybe it's because of all the rain.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
When I see wild achillea growing round about the place, it also varies pretty significantly so it must be to do with the growing conditions. I can't really grow it at all because my borders are too dense and it dislikes being crammed in with other plants.
"What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour".
@Fairygirl I had a complete switcheroo this year and planted some shrubs. On one side of the Achillea there's Sorbaria Sem and on other, Rosa Primula. They're both pretty young (although put on some pretty good new growth) so not much good for support at the moment. I'll be putting an willow obelisk round the rose in spring so that should help.
I have Helenium Moerheim Beauty and I have read that you can prune them to encourage shorter growth. I've got the Rosa primula on one side of that and Cornus Kesselringii (also new in this year) on the other. Bees have been mad for the Heleniums.
Yes - you can certainly do a 'tiered' type of pruning - a sort of semi Chelsea chop. Because Heleniums, like many of the daisies, are later flowering, if you cut part of the plant back by about half in early summer, and leave the rest, you get a variation in height.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Yes - you can certainly do a 'tiered' type of pruning - a sort of semi Chelsea chop. Because Heleniums, like many of the daisies, are later flowering, if you cut part of the plant back by about half in early summer, and leave the rest, you get a variation in height.
Would that be a possibility with the Achilleas too? It's not that I don't like the height they're at at the moment, I'd like to keep a bit more control over them!
I've never done it with them. They don't get that big here. Too early flowering to be able to cut them back. They'd only just be getting going so they would be on the small side, as opposed to the later flowering Heleniums. I dare say you could try it with a few stems and see. Always good to experiment
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@februarysgirl I discovered and planted a Sorbaria Sem this year. I love how Fern like it is.
How has yours done so far? Any flowers?
Lots of flowers and lots of bees!
This guy is my favourite though.
Well, from what's been written here, height probably won't be a concern. I'm OK with staking them if need be and very happy for them to attract pollinators. I suspect lots of plants are particularly lush this year because of the rain, particularly in May, and I've noticed that road side verges are unusually rich in wild flowers.
What's the insect in the second picture? I see quite a few of those around my garden.
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I have Helenium Moerheim Beauty and I have read that you can prune them to encourage shorter growth. I've got the Rosa primula on one side of that and Cornus Kesselringii (also new in this year) on the other. Bees have been mad for the Heleniums.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They'd only just be getting going so they would be on the small side, as opposed to the later flowering Heleniums. I dare say you could try it with a few stems and see. Always good to experiment
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
This guy is my favourite though.
I’ve got my first flower forming. Very excited. I may get more next year if it does well.
What's the insect in the second picture? I see quite a few of those around my garden.