Botanical Name: Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail 

Common Name: Sneezewort Yarrow 

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 3–9) 

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Spread 

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming Habit 

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Sun 

Soil: Prefers Moist, Well-Drained Soil; More Tolerant of Moisture Than Common Yarrow 

Water Needs: Moderate; More Moisture-Tolerant Than Achillea millefolium 

Bloom Season: Early to Mid-Summer

Fertilizer: Light Feeding in Spring; Avoid Excess Fertility

Features: Button-Like White Blooms, Strong Upright Stems, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Perennial Beds, Cottage Gardens, Cutting Gardens, Pollinator Gardens, and Fresh or Dried Flowers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Achillea Growth & Care Guide for more care details

More About Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’

Achillea ptarmica ‘Peter Cottontail’ is a Yarrow that always makes me slow down when I walk past it. The flowers are nothing like the flat-topped Yarrows most people are used to—each bloom looks like a tiny white puff, almost as if someone scattered little cotton balls above the foliage. It gives the plant a softer, almost playful feel that really stands out, especially when everything else in the border is blooming flat and wide.

Peter Cottontail behaves a little differently than common yarrow, and that’s part of its ptarmica charm. The foliage is greener and a bit broader, and the plant naturally grows taller and more upright. I’ve found it especially useful in the middle of a border, where it can rise up without overpowering its neighbors. Those clean white blooms are easy to work with, too—they calm down brighter colors and look right at home with blues, purples, and softer pastels. In cottage-style gardens, it brings just enough structure without feeling stiff or formal.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our testing gardens here in the Upstate (Zone 8a), Peter Cottontail has been pleasantly low-stress. It handles summer heat better than I expected and tolerates more consistent moisture than most yarrows, which makes it a good fit for gardeners who don’t have bone-dry soil or perfect drainage. I’ve had it planted in spots where other yarrows would complain, and it just keeps going.

Peter Cottontail is also my favorite Yarrow to use for cut flowers. The stems are strong, the flowers hold their shape, and they dry beautifully without turning dull or brittle. I’ve noticed smaller native bees working the blooms regularly, while deer seem completely uninterested—always a win in my book. Peter Cottontail may not be the flashiest Yarrow out there, but it’s dependable, distinctive, and quietly charming, which is exactly why I keep finding places for it in the garden center.

Peter Cottontail vs. Other Yarrows

Compared to Achillea millefolium varieties like the New Vintage™ Series, Peter Cottontail’offers a completely different look and function in the landscape. Millefolium types excel in dry, lean soils and low-maintenance plantings, while ptarmica selections prefer slightly richer or more consistently moist soil and provide a softer, more traditional garden aesthetic.

Where modern Yarrows focus on tight habits and bold color, Peter Cottontail shines in cottage gardens, cutting beds, and naturalistic plantings where texture and form matter just as much as color. For gardeners looking to expand beyond classic Yarrow selections like Moonshine, Peter Cottontail adds elegance, versatility, and old-fashioned charm.