Botanical Name: Achillea millefolium ‘New Vintage™ Violet’

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 4–9)

Size: 12–16" Tall × 12–16" Spread

Growth Habit: Compact, Upright, Clumping Habit

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low Water Needs Once Established; Drought Tolerant

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Rich Violet-Purple Blooms, Fine-Textured Foliage, Strong Stems, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Borders, Perennial Beds, Pollinator Gardens, Containers, and Cut Flowers

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Achillea Growth & Care Guide for full care details.

More About Achillea ‘New Vintage™ Violet’

New Vintage™ Violet is a Yarrow that brings depth to a planting without making things feel heavy. The color is a true violet—richer and more saturated than the softer lavenders I grew years ago—and it holds that tone surprisingly well once Summer heat kicks in. I’ve learned to be cautious with purple Yarrows because so many fade or wash out, but this one keeps its color long after others start to dull. I like that the finely textured green leaves stay in the background and let the blooms do the work. Even at peak bloom, it doesn’t overwhelm nearby plants or feel like it’s crowding the space. It adds color in a confident way, not a pushy one.

What really makes ‘New Vintage™ Violet’ easy to live with is its habit. As part of the New Vintage™ Series, it’s been bred specifically for compact size, stronger stems, and better color stability than older yarrow varieties. Older Yarrows often stretched, leaned, or sprawled as the season wore on, especially in mixed plantings, but this one stays upright and tidy. I’ve used it in the front of a perennial bed and in smaller garden areas where I needed something dependable, and it’s never gotten out of scale.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trial gardens here in the Upstate, New Vintage™ Violet has proven to be both tough and predictable—two qualities I highly value. It handles heat and humidity without showing stress, keeps its foliage clean, and continues flowering steadily once established. Even during dry stretches, it holds its shape and color without needing extra attention. From a design standpoint, it’s a very usable plant. The violet blooms add depth when paired with yellows, silvery foliage, or soft pinks, and they give pollinator gardens a richer color layer without feeling chaotic. 

Its compact habit makes it easy to work into more structured borders or container plantings where everything needs to stay in proportion. Bees and butterflies find it quickly, but it still looks polished and intentional all season. Customers often comment on how “finished” the New Vintage Series™ looks compared to older Yarrows, and I agree. New Vintage™ Violet is a modern Yarrow done right—strong color, good behavior, and no unnecessary fuss.

‘New Vintage™ Violet’ vs. Other Yarrows

Within the New Vintage™ Series, Violet reads cooler and more composed than its warmer counterparts. Compared to New Vintage™ Red, Violet feels less bold and less forward, offering depth instead of punch while holding its color just as reliably through summer heat. Against New Vintage™ Terracotta, the contrast is more about mood than performance—Terracotta brings warmth and earthiness, while Violet stays grounded and refined. All three share the same compact habit and strong stems, but Violet stands out for how evenly it holds its shape and tone as the season wears on.

Placed alongside yellow varieties such as ‘Moonshine’, the contrast becomes a clear design advantage. Moonshine contributes a soft, airy presence with silvery foliage and luminous yellow blooms, while New Vintage™ Violet adds bold, saturated color in a tighter footprint. Compared to softer white selections like Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ emphasize delicacy and restraint, New Vintage™ Violet brings stronger visual weight without sacrificing control. For gardeners incorporating yarrow into modern landscapes, dense plantings, or containers, ‘New Vintage™ Violet’ stands out as one of the most dependable and visually striking violet selections available.