Add Heat to Your Borders with Achillea Paprika

Yarrow Paprika, Achillea millefolium Paprika (Galaxy Series)

Achillea Paprika is a dazzling variety of yarrow that brings bright colour and long-lasting charm to your garden. Known for its ruby-red flowerheads and fern-like foliage, this perennial is part of the acclaimed Galaxy Series. If you want a low-maintenance, nectar-rich plant that attracts pollinators and thrives in sunny spots, Achillea millefolium Paprika is an excellent choice.

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, is a popular herbaceous perennial with a rich history dating back to ancient times. The ‘Paprika’ cultivar stands out for its striking ruby-red flowers arranged in dense, plate-like flowerheads. Part of the Galaxy Series, this yarrow variety offers gardeners vibrant colour and a long flowering season from June to September.

The Galaxy Series comprises several horticultural cultivars renowned for their vibrant hues and exceptional garden performance. Achillea millefolium Paprika grows to around 70cm tall and features aromatic, fern-like, grey-green foliage. Its drought tolerance and low maintenance make it perfect for both formal borders and naturalistic plantings. The bright red flower clusters contrast beautifully with its feathery foliage, adding a lively splash of colour to summer borders or prairie-style gardens.

This cultivar is a versatile perennial that thrives in well-drained soil under full sun, making it ideal for gardeners seeking low-maintenance yet eye-catching plants. Its nectar-rich flowers attract beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, supporting biodiversity. If you want to cultivate a wildlife-friendly garden, yarrow is an excellent choice.

Achillea millefolium Paprika is also drought-tolerant once established, flourishing in dry to medium-moisture soils. It’s suitable for sunny locations, including rock gardens and cottage borders. Plus, its long-lasting blooms provide vibrant colour through late summer, fading to a soft light pink that keeps your garden looking fresh. Whether planted in large swathes or mixed with other perennials, its mat-forming habit helps suppress weeds and adds textural interest.

Achillea millefolium thrives in well-drained soil and can adapt to a range of soil types, but it prefers dry to medium moisture levels. Well-drained soil is crucial in preventing root rot, particularly during wet winters or in cooler climates. Adding grit or sand to improve soil drainage works well for this herbaceous perennial.

This yarrow prefers slightly alkaline to neutral soil pH but tolerates a moderate range of pH levels. Avoid overly rich or moist soils, which can cause floppy growth and reduce flowering. If your garden soil tends to be heavy or wet, consider using raised beds or rock garden settings, as these offer better drainage naturally.

The drought tolerance of Achillea Paprika makes it perfect for sunny, hot garden spots with dry soil. It handles temperatures between roughly -10°C to 30°C (14°F to 86°F) comfortably, making it a hardy addition to many UK gardens.

One of the best reasons to grow yarrow like Achillea Paprika is its value to pollinators. Its large clusters of bright red flowers provide a rich source of nectar throughout the summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. This supports a healthy, balanced garden ecosystem and helps boost the pollination of nearby plants.

Incorporating nectar-rich plants, such as yarrow, in naturalistic or wildlife-friendly gardens encourages biodiversity and creates vital habitats. Achillea’s flat-topped flowerheads provide easy landing platforms for insects. These flowers also attract predatory beneficial insects that help control pests naturally, thereby reducing the need for chemical interventions.

For gardeners seeking to create a vibrant, sustainable garden, Achillea millefolium Paprika is a standout choice. Its combination of beauty and ecological benefit makes it a true star in the garden.

Achillea Paprika is a hardy perennial that requires minimal care, but a few simple maintenance steps help maximise its beauty. Deadheading faded flowers throughout the blooming season encourages continuous flowering from June to September. Removing spent flowerheads also keeps the plant neat and attractive.

Cutting back the plant in late autumn or early spring helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages vigorous new growth. As a mat-forming perennial, it benefits from thinning every few years to prevent overcrowding and improve airflow.

This yarrow cultivar tolerates drought well but prefers occasional watering during dry spells. Avoid overwatering and ensure good soil drainage to prevent rot. Its fern-like, grey-green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, adding texture even when not in bloom.

Achillea Paprika’s bold, ruby-red flowerheads add vibrant colour to summer borders and prairie-style plantings. Its upright habit and feathery foliage provide a beautiful contrast to softer herbaceous plants like salvia or eryngium. The plant’s long-lasting blooms bring interest from mid-summer into early autumn.

It suits cottage gardens perfectly, blending naturally with other nectar-rich plants and grasses. Planted in large swathes, it creates a striking mass of red flowers that can transform a border. This yarrow also suits well in naturalistic garden schemes where drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants are a key feature.

Due to its drought tolerance and preference for well-drained soil, it also thrives in rock gardens or dry, sunny beds. Its vibrant colours complement the ‘Galaxy Series’ cultivars, making it easy to coordinate for garden colour themes.

The long flowering season from June to September is one of Achillea Paprika’s best features. Its drought tolerance means it holds up well during hot, dry spells when other plants may struggle. The flowerheads fade to a soft, light pink, extending their visual appeal rather than simply withering away.

The perennial dies back in winter but reliably returns each spring, ready to bloom again. This makes it a dependable and low-maintenance choice for gardeners who want vibrant summer colour without constant replanting.

Achillea Paprika’s resistance to pests and diseases adds to its reliability. With good soil drainage and proper planting, this cultivar offers years of colourful, aromatic, and nectar-rich flowers that keep your garden buzzing.

The genus name Achillea honours the Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to heal wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan Wars. The common yarrow, Achillea millefolium, has a rich tradition as a medicinal herb that dates back centuries.

Its feathery, fern-like foliage and dense flower clusters have long made it a symbol of healing and protection. This historic connection adds a layer of meaning for gardeners who appreciate plants with stories.

Growing Achillea millefolium Paprika links you to this heritage, blending beauty with a fascinating past.

Yes, Achillea Paprika is excellent for cut flowers. Its long-lasting flowerheads maintain their vibrant red colour when cut, making them perfect for summer bouquets. The plate-like clusters add texture and depth.

Additionally, this yarrow dries well and retains much of its colour and shape, making it popular for dried flower arrangements. Simply cut stems when flowers are fully open and hang them upside down in a dry, dark place.

This versatility adds to the appeal of Achillea millefolium Paprika, allowing gardeners to enjoy its beauty both indoors and outdoors.

Achillea Paprika has become a firm favourite in my garden — and for good reason. It’s one of those plants that just gets on with the job, thriving through heatwaves, shrugging off drought, and still managing to look spectacular. I like to use it in bold drifts among ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials — the contrast of those ruby-red flowerheads against feathery foliage lifts a summer border. Additionally, it’s always teeming with pollinators, which is a joy to observe. If you’re after a reliable, low-fuss perennial that delivers colour and supports wildlife, you really can’t go wrong with ‘Paprika’. It’s one of those plants I find myself recommending again and again.

• Achillea Paprika is a ruby-red yarrow cultivar from the Galaxy Series with vibrant, long-lasting flowerheads
• It thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, tolerating drought and dry garden conditions
• This perennial attracts pollinators and beneficial insects with nectar-rich blooms
• Ideal for cottage gardens, prairie-style borders, and naturalistic planting schemes
• Requires low maintenance with simple deadheading and occasional watering during dry spells
• Has a rich mythological background linked to Achilles and healing
• Perfect for cut flowers and dried arrangements due to its long-lasting, plate-like flowerheads
• Plant in groups spaced about 30-40cm apart for best growth and airflow
• Prefers dry to medium moisture soils with good drainage; avoid heavy, wet clay soils
• A versatile and reliable garden favourite that blooms throughout the summer from June to September

Achillea Paprika is a colourful, hardy perennial that adds charm, colour, and ecological value to any garden. Its ease of care and striking appearance make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking beauty with function. Plant this radiant yarrow and enjoy a long season of vibrant blooms and thriving pollinators.

Check out the RHS article here.

If you like this one, you’ll love Achillea Terracotta. Click here to explore it.

For more information on perennials for your garden, please click here.

Q: What is Achillea Paprika, and how is it different from other yarrow?

A: Achillea Paprika is a standout cultivar in the Achillea or yarrow genus, known for its clusters of vibrant ruby-red flowers with yellow centres that bloom from June to September. As part of the Galaxy Series, this herbaceous perennial features aromatic, fern-like, grey-green foliage and grows to a height of around 50–70 cm tall. Over time, the red flowers often fade to light pink and creamy yellow, creating a lovely, soft gradient. Like all achilleas, ‘Paprika’ is drought-tolerant and thrives in well-drained soil and full sun. Its long-lasting blooms make it a superb choice for borders, prairie-style planting, and cut flower arrangements.

Q: How and where should I plant Achillea Paprika?

A: For best results, plant Achillea Paprika in well-drained soil in full sun. This drought-tolerant perennial excels in hot, dry conditions and is ideal for summer borders, rock gardens, and naturalistic schemes. Enrich poor or light sandy soils with compost and horticultural grit to improve structure and drainage. Avoid planting in heavy, wet soils, which can lead to root rot. Space plants around 40–50cm apart to allow good air circulation and support healthy growth. ‘Paprika’ looks especially effective when planted in swathes or among grasses and other sun-loving perennials in wildlife-friendly garden designs.

Q: Is Achillea Paprika suitable for pollinators and wildlife-friendly gardens?

A: Yes, Achillea Paprika is a superb addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. Its plate-like flowerheads offer easy access to nectar-rich blooms, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the summer. The dense flower clusters also support beneficial insects, which can help reduce pests in your garden. Its mat-forming habit and ferny foliage create useful cover for smaller creatures. For a wildlife-friendly display, combine ‘Paprika’ with other nectar-rich plants such as salvia or echinacea, and leave seedheads over winter for added interest and bird food. It’s a perfect choice for pollinator-friendly borders and naturalistic planting schemes.

Q: How do I care for Achillea Paprika through the seasons?

A: Achillea Paprika is a low-maintenance, hardy perennial. After initial planting, water regularly until the plants are established, then only during prolonged dry spells. Feed lightly in spring with a balanced, low-nitrogen mix. Deadheading faded blooms prolongs flowering, while cutting back after the final flush may encourage a second late-summer bloom. In autumn, leave seedheads to provide structure and benefit wildlife. Cut back to the base in late winter to prepare for spring growth. Every few years, divide mature clumps in spring or autumn to maintain vigour. With minimal effort, ‘Paprika’ will return reliably each year, bringing long-lasting colour and wildlife appeal.

Q: Can Achillea millefolium Paprika be used as a cut flower?

A: Absolutely. Achillea millefolium Paprika is prized for its long-lasting blooms and is excellent for both fresh and dried arrangements. Its flat-topped clusters of red flowers—fading to light pink and mustard-yellow—bring rich, vibrant tones to floral displays. Cut stems when flowers are just fully open for maximum vase life. To dry, hang small bunches upside down in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space. The strong stems and intricate flowerheads hold their form and colour well when dried. Regular cutting also encourages fresh blooms in the garden, making ‘Paprika’ a dual-purpose plant for ornamental and floral use.

Q: Where can I buy Achillea Paprika in the UK?

A: Achillea millefolium Paprika is widely available at garden centres, nurseries, and online retailers throughout the UK. Look for it under the Achillea, yarrow, or Galaxy Series categories in perennial plant sections. You can often find it in 9cm or 1-litre pots during spring and summer. Reputable online suppliers typically offer delivery across the UK and a wider selection of achillea cultivars, ideal for those creating themed borders or prairie-style planting schemes. Whether you’re planning a pollinator garden or a bold, drought-tolerant border, ‘Paprika’ is a dependable and decorative choice to buy.