Plant DetailShow Menu

Achillea

Phonetic Spelling
ak-ih-LEE-ah
Description

Yarrow is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family (Asteraceae) and are native to North America, Asia and Europe depending on the species. There are many species and hybrids of yarrows and some are evergreen. The Genus was named after the Greek mythical character Achilles whose army was said to use yarrow to heal wounds.

These plants can grow from 1-4 feet with a similar spread or more. They are generally drought tolerant and prefer full sun in well-drained soils and tolerate poor soil.  Do not overfertilize or water. Wet soils will cause rot rot. In warmer climates, they may be evergreen. They spread by seeds and rhysomes and some can be aggressive. Propagate by division.

Most yarrows have flat-topped blooms in the summer and come in yellow, white, pink, orange or red. Deadheading will encourage more blooms to appear, aid in a neater appearance and reduce the number of seeds. They generally have attractive feathery aromatic leaves.

These plants can be used at the front of the border, in a cutting garden, a pollinator garden, as a ground cover and used dried.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Rust, stem rot and powdery mildew may affect the plants' health.  Weak stems may cause the plant to dislodge. 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
A. filipendulina, A. millefolium, A. tomentosa, ‘Moonshine’
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#yarrow#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#HS302#perennial#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
A. filipendulina, A. millefolium, A. tomentosa, ‘Moonshine’
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#yarrow#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#humidity tolerant#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#HS302#perennial#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Achillea
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Has been used medicinally, especially in wound healing.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, western Asia, North America
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and songbirds are attracted.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer and rabbit resistant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Achenes contain a single seed
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Common Yarrow has dense, white flower heads that appear in compact clusters at the top of the stem. The flower head has 20 to 25 ray flowers. Other varieties may have colors including gold, white, pink, and cerise red. Their bloom season is from late spring, summer, into fall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Pale green, delicate, fern-like foliage has a spicy aroma that will remain even after drying.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Each stem contains one or more flower heads.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity
    Rabbits