Heirloom

Summer™ Pastels

Achillea millefolium

Harvest

120-130d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

3–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Summer™ Pastels in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Summer™ Pastels · Zones 3–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining loam

WaterModerate — regular watering

SeasonPerennial

ColorPastel shades of pink, peach, yellow, and cream

Size2-4"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Complete Growing Guide

Shades of sunny pastel blooms make excellent cut flowers and reliable perennial garden plants with decorative, fern-like foliage. As cut flowers, the 2-4" flat-topped flower heads on 24" stems add bulk, durability, and beauty to bouquets. Long vase life. Summer Pastels F2 population. Flowers first year from seed. Low maintenance. Tolerates drought once established. Perennial in Zones 2-9. AAS Winner. Attracts and supports beneficial insects such as damsel bugs, lacewings, lady beetles, and parasitic wasps. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Summer™ Pastels is 120 - 130 days to maturity, perennial, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets, Ideal for Drying and Crafts, Attracts Beneficial Insects, AAS (All-America Selections) Winners.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 10 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Low, Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Summer™ Pastels reaches harvest at 120 - 130 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 2-4" at peak.

The small achene-like fruits are called cypsela

Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Edibility: Leaves and flowers are bitter, but can be eaten raw or cooked in moderation. They are used in salads and to make teas. The flowers and leaves are used in making some liquors and bitters.

Storage & Preservation

Summer™ Pastels cut flowers last longest in cool conditions. Display vases at room temperature (68-72°F) away from direct sunlight, heating vents, and ripening fruit, which all accelerate fading. Change water every 2-3 days and re-cut stems diagonally to maintain water uptake. Properly cared-for stems will remain fresh and vibrant for 2-3 weeks.

For drying, hang bundles of stems upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space (60-75°F, low humidity). Dried Summer™ Pastels retain their pastel colors beautifully and last indefinitely in arrangements, making them ideal for crafting or long-term floral displays. Drying typically takes 2-3 weeks.

You can also press individual flower heads between parchment and heavy books for 3-4 weeks; pressed Summer™ Pastels are perfect for card-making and paper crafting. Store dried flowers in airtight containers with silica gel or dried rice to maintain color and prevent moisture reabsorption.

History & Origin

Summer™ Pastels is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: Europe, western Asia, North America,

Advantages

+Flowers in first year from seed, providing quick garden color
+Long vase life and flat heads add bulk to bouquets
+Tolerates drought once established, reducing watering needs
+Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings and parasitic wasps
+Hardy perennial across Zones 2-9 with low maintenance requirements

Considerations

-Pastel colors may fade or appear washed out in intense heat
-Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained or overly wet soil
-Requires deadheading to maintain appearance and encourage reblooming
-Can self-seed aggressively, potentially spreading beyond intended garden areas

Companion Plants

Marigolds and Sweet Alyssum are the most practical companions here. Tagetes patula deters aphids and whiteflies through root exudates and foliage scent — useful since yarrow's flat flower heads attract a wide range of insects, not all of them welcome. Sweet Alyssum pulls in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on soft-bodied pests, and its low, 4-6 inch habit won't compete for light. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop for aphids, drawing them away from your yarrow and everything nearby.

Mint and fennel are both worth keeping well away from this bed. Mint spreads by rhizome just as aggressively as yarrow does — put them together and you'll spend two seasons untangling the two root systems. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) releases anethole and other compounds that suppress growth in many nearby plants; yarrow is not immune. Black walnut trees produce juglone throughout their root zone, which damages or kills a wide range of garden plants — don't site yarrow anywhere within 50-60 feet of one.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and provides ground cover

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and add vibrant color contrast

Lobelia

Complements pastel colors and attracts pollinators with similar growing requirements

Bacopa

Provides cascading texture and thrives in similar moisture conditions

Dusty Miller

Silver foliage enhances pastel colors and adds textural contrast

Petunias

Share similar care requirements and bloom time, creating cohesive color schemes

Verbena

Attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while providing complementary colors

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Trees

Produce juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most flowering plants

Mint

Aggressive root system can overwhelm and compete with delicate flowering plants

Fennel

Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit growth of nearby flowering plants

Troubleshooting Summer™ Pastels

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Powdery white coating on leaves and stems, usually appearing mid-summer when nights cool down

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) — favored by warm days and cool, humid nights
Poor airflow from overcrowding — plants spaced closer than 12 inches

What to Do

1.Cut affected stems down to the basal rosette; the plant will push new growth
2.Thin any clumps that have spread beyond their 18-inch spacing
3.Spray remaining foliage with a diluted neem oil solution (2 tsp per quart of water) every 7 days until symptoms clear

Stems flopping over or sprawling flat by midsummer, especially on taller plants

Likely Causes

Excess nitrogen from a fertilizer-heavy soil, which pushes lush, weak stem growth
Insufficient sun — plants in fewer than 6 hours of direct light stretch toward the source

What to Do

1.Cut the whole clump back by one-third after the first flush of bloom; this also triggers rebloom
2.Move or divide plants in fall if the site gets less than 6 hours of direct sun
3.Skip any nitrogen-heavy fertilizer — this plant does better in lean, well-drained soil

Plant spreads aggressively into neighboring beds within 2-3 seasons, crowding out other plants

Likely Causes

Achillea millefolium spreads by rhizome — it's a vigorous spreader by nature, not a sign of anything wrong
Absence of any root barrier or edge control

What to Do

1.Divide clumps every 2-3 years in early spring before new growth exceeds 4 inches; replant only the outer sections and discard the woody center
2.Install a 6-inch deep root barrier or grow in a raised bed with solid sides to limit lateral spread
3.Deadhead spent flowers promptly to reduce self-seeding on top of the rhizome spread

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Summer™ Pastels take to flower from seed?▼

Summer™ Pastels takes 120-130 days from sowing to first bloom. If you start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost and transplant after frost danger passes, you'll typically see flowers by mid-summer. Direct sowing after the last frost will push blooming into late summer or early fall, depending on your zone. The first-year flowering is one of this variety's major advantages over perennial ornamentals that require a year to establish.

Can you grow Summer™ Pastels in containers or pots?▼

Yes, Summer™ Pastels grows well in containers at least 12 inches deep with drainage holes. Use quality potting soil, not garden soil, to prevent waterlogging. Container plants need more frequent watering than in-ground plants, especially in hot weather, but you can move pots to optimize light or protect from excessive heat. Containers also simplify pest monitoring and allow you to bring flowers indoors immediately after cutting for maximum vase life.

Is Summer™ Pastels good for beginner gardeners?▼

Absolutely. Summer™ Pastels is rated 'Easy' for a reason—it's forgiving, low-maintenance, and nearly pest-free. The main requirement is full sun and well-draining soil; overwatering is the most common mistake. If you can avoid waterlogging and provide at least 6 hours of direct sun, you'll succeed. Even gardeners in challenging zones (2-9) can grow it, making it one of the most universally adaptable ornamental flowers.

What's the difference between Summer™ Pastels and other flat-topped flower varieties?▼

Summer™ Pastels is distinguished by its soft pastel color range (pinks, peaches, yellows, creams), superior vase life (2-3 weeks), and first-year flowering. Many similar flat-topped flowers take a full year to establish before blooming and don't tolerate drought as well. The AAS winner designation confirms Summer™ Pastels outperformed other varieties in rigorous multi-location trials. The fern-like foliage is also finer and more ornamental than some competitors.

When should I plant Summer™ Pastels seeds?▼

For indoor starting, sow 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after all frost danger has passed. For direct sowing, wait until soil has warmed and frost is no longer a threat, then sow seeds directly where you want them to grow. In mild climates (Zone 9), you can sow in late winter for early-spring blooms. Avoid sowing too early indoors, as seedlings become leggy and stressed waiting for transplant time.

Do Summer™ Pastels self-seed or come back year after year?▼

Summer™ Pastels is a perennial in Zones 2-9, meaning plants can survive winter and regrow next year if conditions are right. However, hardiness varies by exact location and microclimate. In cold zones (2-5), mulch heavily over winter to protect roots. In colder regions or areas with wet winters, many gardeners treat them as annuals for simplicity. Seeds will self-sow in ideal conditions, potentially giving you volunteer plants next year, though the F2 population may show color variation.