Yarrow

Botanical name: Achillea

Plant type: Flower [2]

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 [3], 4 [4], 5 [5], 6 [6], 7 [7], 8 [8], 9 [9]

Sun exposure: Full Sun [10]

Soil type: Sandy [11], Loamy [12]

Flower color: Red [13], Pink [14], Yellow [15], White [16]

Bloom time: Summer [17]

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with showy flower heads composed of many tiny, tightly-packed flowers. Their fern-like leaves are often aromatic. Yarrows are easy to care for and versatile: they are good for borders, rock gardens, or wildflower meadows. These flowers are excellent for cutting or drying.

Planting

• Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil in your garden to about 12 to 15 inches deep, then mix in a 2– to 4–inch layer of compost.
• Plant in the spring in well-drained, average to poor soil. Yarrows thrive in hot, dry conditions; they will not tolerate wet soil. If you grow yarrows in rich soil, the plants may require stalking because the rich soil encourages growth.
• Space the plants 1 to 2 feet apart. They are quick to establish and spread, though some species, like Achillea millefolium, are invasive, so be careful when choosing your plants. Most kinds grow to be about 2 to 4 feet tall.

Care

• Remember to add a thin layer of compost, followed by a 2–inch layer of mulch around your plants each spring.
• If you receive less than 1 inch of rain a week in the summer, remember to water your plants regularly.
• Divide yarrow plants every 3 to 5 years. Lift the clumps of flowers in early spring or fall and remove any dead stems from the center of the clump. You can replant the divisions in well-prepared soil.
• If you plant yarrows from tip cuttings, plant them in spring or early summer.

Pests

• Aphids [18]
• Powdery mildew [19]
• Rust [20]
• Stem rot

Recommended Varieties

• Coronation Gold, for its beautiful mustard-yellow flowers and silvery gray leaves
• Fanal ("The Beacon"), for its rich red flowers with yellow centers
• Cerise Queen, to add some bright pink color to your garden

E-Cards

[21]

Send a free e-card of this pretty yarrow. [21]

Special Features

• Attracts Butterflies