
Yarrow
Uses:
- Borders
- Ground Cover & Filler
- Open Meadows
Features:
- Pest Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Attracts Butterflies
Sunlight:
- Full Sun
- 6+ Hours of Direct Sun
Growing Zones:
- 3-9
- What is My Zone?
Yarrow is an easy to care for flowering plant that attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees. These tough plants are also an aromatic herb that is great for cutting and drying.
Growing Yarrow
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an herbaceous flowering perennial that is a native North America. Perfect for a herb garden, it is also a great addition to your yard. Commonly used as a medicinal herb, Yarrow has been used to treat minor bleeding, cramping muscles, is a fever reducer, and helps with relaxing. Yarrow is great because it grows hardy even through drought conditions, infertile soils, or heat. Achillea typically bloom in the colors pink, red, white, or yellow.
The Best Way to Use Yarrow
Ranging from low-growing ground covers to loftier plants for the middle or back of a border, there is a garden yarrow for almost any purpose. Growing hardy in zones 3-9, yarrows bloom from early spring through early fall. Depending on the species you choose, this plant can grow anywhere from 8 inches to 5 feet tall. This plant prefers loamy, sandy soil and full sun. Yarrow is pest resistant, drought resistant, heat tolerant, and attracts butterflies. The added bonus is that it is an aromatic herb with showy flower heads.

Flowers are excellent for cuttings or in a vase

Tolerates unpleasant growing conditions

Used as a medicinal herb

Available in colors pink, red, white and yellow

Growing zones 3 to 9
About Yarrow

Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort
Europe, Asia, North America
Perennials
Semi-Evergreen,Deciduous,Herbaceous
3 - 9
Flower Bloom Time:
Late spring to summer
Clumping, Spreading, Upright, Mounded
Bees, Butterflies
Drought, Heat, Harsh Winters
Deer, Rabbits, Voles, Moles, Diseases, Pests
How To Use Yarrow In The Garden
Yarrow's fragrant clusters of flat-topped flower heads endure from late spring through autumn and float over semievergreen, feathery foliage. Once established, this herb exhibits impressive drought resistance and is a reliable choice in water-wise landscapes. Yarrow also claims a place in herbal lore with a long history of healing applications.
Position yarrow in a mixed border among ornamental grasses and summer perennials, where the open blooms supply contrast in both color and texture. In cottage gardens, group the pale hues beside pastel coneflowers or airy cosmos for a gentle harmony of shapes. Incorporate brighter cultivars near bright zinnias to punctuate a bold palette, or use yarrow as a fast-growing groundcover on a sunny slope. Collect the sturdy stems for long-lasting cut flowers, and consider drying a portion for winter arrangements.
Yarrow Care
Plant yarrow in well-drained soil under full sun to promote optimal growth. While it adapts to various soil types, including sandy or rocky substrates, it prefers neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels. During the initial growing season, water regularly to establish a robust root system; once established, yarrow exhibits considerable drought tolerance, requiring minimal supplemental watering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nutrients can lead to leggy growth and reduced flowering.
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering and prevent self-seeding. In late autumn, cut back the stems to the basal leaves, approximately 1-2 inches above the soil line, to prepare the plant for winter. In colder climates, applying mulch around the base can protect roots from harsh temperatures. For container cultivation, select a pot with adequate drainage, and refresh the soil every few years to maintain nutrient availability.
Learn More About Yarrow

Yarrow Companion Plants
Yarrow works great mixed in with other herbs and perennial flower selections like salvia, oregano and rosemary. We also like to grow yarrow in pollinator gardens mixed with other full sun perennials. Try some of these popular plants to grow with yarrow.