Yarrow
Botanical Name
:
Achillea millefolium
Plant Type
:
Herbaceous perennial
Seasons
:
Plant in spring or early summer; blooms in summer and fall
Sun Level
:
Full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of sun daily
Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting
:
60–70°F (15–21°C)
Soil Type
:
Well-drained, average soil
Hardiness Zones
:
3–9 (USDA)
Germination
:
14–28 days
P.H. Level
:
5.5–7 (acidic to neutral)
Water/Irrigation
:
At least 1 inch of water per week till established; they are somewhat drought-tolerant
Fertilization
:
Not typically needed, but a balanced fertilizer in spring can support growth
Habit
:
Upright, branching
Propagation
:
Seed, division (of established clumps in spring or fall), and cutting
Final Plant Height
:
2–3 ft
Spread
:
1–2 ft
Flowers
:
Small, daisy-like, with white or pink petals and a yellow center
Attracts
:
Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators
Uses
:
Ornamental (garden borders, meadows, cut flowers), medicinal (historically used for various purposes, but not recommended without expert guidance)
Companions
:
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), coneflowers (Echinacea), salvia, ornamental grasses
Pruning
:
Deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages more blooms. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring
Toxicity
:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals
Pests
:
Aphids, slugs, snails, caterpillars
Diseases
:
Powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust
Confused With
:
Other daisy-like flowers, such as Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) and chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Additional Info
:
The name “Achillea” comes from the Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to heal his wounds in battle
Botanical Name
:
Achillea millefolium
Plant Type
:
Herbaceous perennial
Seasons
:
Plant in spring or early summer; blooms in summer and fall
Sun Level
:
Full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of sun daily
Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting
:
60–70°F (15–21°C)
Soil Type
:
Well-drained, average soil
Hardiness Zones
:
3–9 (USDA)
Germination
:
14–28 days
P.H. Level
:
5.5–7 (acidic to neutral)
Water/Irrigation
:
At least 1 inch of water per week till established; they are somewhat drought-tolerant
Fertilization
:
Not typically needed, but a balanced fertilizer in spring can support growth
Habit
:
Upright, branching
Propagation
:
Seed, division (of established clumps in spring or fall), and cutting
Final Plant Height
:
2–3 ft
Spread
:
1–2 ft
Flowers
:
Small, daisy-like, with white or pink petals and a yellow center
Attracts
:
Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators
Uses
:
Ornamental (garden borders, meadows, cut flowers), medicinal (historically used for various purposes, but not recommended without expert guidance)
Companions
:
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), coneflowers (Echinacea), salvia, ornamental grasses
Pruning
:
Deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages more blooms. Cut back stems in late fall or early spring
Toxicity
:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals
Pests
:
Aphids, slugs, snails, caterpillars
Diseases
:
Powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust
Confused With
:
Other daisy-like flowers, such as Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) and chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Additional Info
:
The name “Achillea” comes from the Greek hero Achilles, who is said to have used yarrow to heal his wounds in battle
Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/
