High Country Gardens
Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail'
Best low-maintenance perennial for busy gardeners seeking pollinator-friendly, deer-resistant blooms.
Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail' offers a delightful display of pure white, bunny-tail-like flowers atop mounding foliage. This hardy perennial is celebrated for its resilience and low-maintenance nature, thriving in full sun to partial shade. It blooms prolifically from early summer through fall, attracting beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its drought tolerance and resistance to deer and rabbits make it an ideal choice for borders, rock gardens, and cottage gardens. The fragrant blooms are also perfect for cutting and drying, adding lasting beauty indoors.
$13.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
848
/ 2577
#848 in Flowers
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
Cultivar
31756
/ 'Peter Cottontail' PP#,
Who it's for
- Floral designers wanting long-lasting, sturdy cut flowers
- Gardeners seeking soft, cloud-like floral textures
- Busy homeowners needing low-maintenance, heat-tolerant perennials
Who should skip it
- Low-effort gardeners preferring plants that do not require deadheading
- Residents in humid climates prone to fungal foliage issues
- Minimalist gardeners avoiding plants that require frequent containment
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Appeal
A reliable magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all season long.
Maintenance Ease
Thrives with minimal intervention once established in the landscape.
Drought Tolerance
Waterwise performance makes it perfect for dry, sun-drenched garden spots.
Pest Resistance
Deer and rabbits typically ignore this hardy, mounding perennial.
Bloom Longevity
Prolific flowering extends from early summer well into the fall.
Floral Utility
Fragrant stems work beautifully in fresh bouquets or dried arrangements.
Key Specs
Cultivar
'Peter Cottontail' PP#31,756
Mature Height
18-24 inches
Mature Spread
28-30 inches
Hardiness Zones
USDA 3-8
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type Preference
Clay, low fertility
Sun Requirement
Full sun to part shade
Life Cycle
Perennial
Features
- Long blooming period from early summer to fall
- Attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies
- Excellent for low-maintenance gardening
- Resistant to deer and rabbits
- Fragrant flowers suitable for cutting or drying
- Provides winter interest
- Thrives in dry, sunny conditions
- Waterwise and drought-tolerant
What customers say
Gardeners consistently highlight the exceptional quality and vigor of the 'Peter Cottontail' plants upon delivery, noting their robust health and careful packaging. The primary theme is reliable performance; customers find this Achillea establishes quickly and delivers masses of fluffy white blooms exactly as promised throughout the season. It is a dependable, low maintenance perennial that offers substantial aesthetic value, thriving easily and becoming a highly valued, long lasting addition to the landscape.
Know before you buy
Since 'Peter Cottontail' reaches a mature spread of 28 to 30 inches, you should space them at least 30 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and healthy mounding growth.
Yes, this cultivar is specifically noted for its resistance to both deer and rabbits, making it a reliable choice for gardens where these animals are frequent visitors.
No, Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail' is not considered pet-safe. It is best to plant it in areas of your garden that are inaccessible to curious cats or dogs.
Not at all. Once established, this variety is quite drought-tolerant and thrives in low-water conditions, making it an excellent choice for waterwise landscapes.
Absolutely. The flowers are moderately fragrant and hold up well, making them ideal for both fresh-cut bouquets and dried floral arrangements.
It performs best in well-drained soil and is surprisingly adaptable, even tolerating clay soils and areas with lower soil fertility.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$14