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Achillea

Phonetic Spelling
ak-ih-LEE-ah
Description

There are many species and hybrids of Achillea used in gardens and all are tough, drought-tolerant and consistently attractive with their ferny foliage and bright flowers.

They will perform well in poor soils, as long as good drainage is provided.  If proper drainage is not achieved, the plant may tend to lean and/or flop.  The stem may also be damaged by winds.  Plant in a location that will provide protection from wind.  Hybrids of common yarrow are more popular for the home gardener, their stems tend to be more sturdy and are available in a variety of colorful blooms. 

Yarrow can be an aggressive plant. Division should be completed every few years.  

Cutting the stems down after blooming will encourage more blooms to appear as well as maintaining a neater appearance and reducing the number of spreading seeds, 

Hot, humid summers are tolerated.  

The long-lasting blooms are great cut fresh and are often used as dried flowers.  The aromatic foliage will retain its scent even after drying.

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.  If not controlled, it may spread aggressively by self-seeding and rhizomes.  

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot Delight'
    Shades raning from pink, apricot to near red.
  • 'Cerise Queen'
    Magenta color.
  • ‘Moonshine’
  • 'Paprika'
    Bright red fading to light pink and yellow.
  • 'Pink Grapefruit'
    Deep rose fading to pink.
  • 'Red Velvet'
    Rich red on tall stems.
  • 'Saucy Seduction'
    Rose-pink with tiny white centers.
  • 'Strawberry Seduction'
    Red flowers with gold centers.
  • 'Summer Pastels'
    Shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, salmon, lilac, purple and white.
'Apricot Delight', 'Cerise Queen', ‘Moonshine’, 'Paprika', 'Pink Grapefruit', 'Red Velvet', 'Saucy Seduction', 'Strawberry Seduction', 'Summer Pastels'
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#air pollution tolerant#yarrow#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#HS302#perennial#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Apricot Delight'
    Shades raning from pink, apricot to near red.
  • 'Cerise Queen'
    Magenta color.
  • ‘Moonshine’
  • 'Paprika'
    Bright red fading to light pink and yellow.
  • 'Pink Grapefruit'
    Deep rose fading to pink.
  • 'Red Velvet'
    Rich red on tall stems.
  • 'Saucy Seduction'
    Rose-pink with tiny white centers.
  • 'Strawberry Seduction'
    Red flowers with gold centers.
  • 'Summer Pastels'
    Shades of red, pink, yellow, orange, salmon, lilac, purple and white.
'Apricot Delight', 'Cerise Queen', ‘Moonshine’, 'Paprika', 'Pink Grapefruit', 'Red Velvet', 'Saucy Seduction', 'Strawberry Seduction', 'Summer Pastels'
Tags:
#gold#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#pink flowers#red flowers#shade garden#air pollution tolerant#yarrow#gold flowers#summer flowers#deer resistant#herbaceous perennial#spring interest#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#HS302#perennial#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Achillea
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, western Asia, North America
    Distribution:
    Lower 48
    Fire Risk Rating:
    low flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Butterflies and songbirds are attracted.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edibility:
    Not edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 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
  • 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:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought