Flower ID please

[Millymollymandy]

A perennial I acquired at a plant swap and I don't know what it is - would like to know before planting out so I know what growing conditions it likes. Thank you.

[Green Aura]

It looks like some sort of overgrown pink. The flowers are definitely pink-like and the leaves are not far off too but the height is confusing - I've only seen low growing ones before.

Does it smell at all? Pinks often have a clove like smell.

[Millymollymandy]

No doesn't smell, well I haven't sniffed it but think I'd have noticed up close taking photos! It's about 18" tall at the moment if that helps but probably grows taller as the lady who brought these (and others) along just literally brought along bare rooted - ripped out of the soil plants in a big wilting heap so I am amazed that they took at all!

[Millymollymandy]

It's Achillea ptarmica. Could have knocked me down with a feather cos I only know the yarrow type of Achillea and didn't know there were completely different kinds like this! It's already grown enormously since the photo was taken and has been planted out.

[pelmetman]

Well that is a new one on me too, never heard of it. We grow the ordinary Achillea Yarrow which never really excites me but this one looks really lovely. I always enjoy going to Open Gardens and local little plant sales where we have bought numerous plants that are not labelled, we have just taken a chance and have rarely been disappointed.

Sue