Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
A hardy herbaceous perennial featuring finely divided, feathery, fern-like leaves and tight, flat-topped clusters of small flowers that range from white to pink and yellow.
- Light
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day)
- Water
- Low to moderate; highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, letting soil dry out completely between waterings.
- Growth
- Rhizomatous, upright perennial forming spreading clumps; grows 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil. Water occasionally until established; mature plants require very little water and thrive in lean soils. Avoid over-fertilizing as rich soils can cause floppy stem growth.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day)
Watering
Low to moderate; highly drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply during prolonged dry spells, letting soil dry out completely between waterings.
Soil
Well-drained, lean to average sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor soils well. Prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 3 through 9
Growth habit
Rhizomatous, upright perennial forming spreading clumps; grows 1 to 3 feet tall with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
Bloom season
Late spring through summer; produces dense, flat umbrella-like clusters of tiny composite blooms.
Propagation
Propagated by crown division in spring or autumn, stem cuttings in summer, or directly by seed.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to powdery mildew or stem rot if grown in overcrowded or overly damp conditions; occasionally attacked by aphids.
Similar species
Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), which has compound umbels with central dark florets and carrot-scented, tripinnate foliage rather than fern-like aromatic leaves.