As a medium-sized member of the aster family, yarrow is related to both common landscape plants like tickseed (Coreopsis) and gerbera daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) as well as wild plants like boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and goldenrod (Solidago). As a long-blooming perennial, yarrow is best planted in the spring. It has multiple color options. Its flattened flower clusters and feathery foliage make it easy to identify; when injured, the leaf exudes a pleasant scent.
Habitat
Yarrow is distributed circumboreal. It can be found in Europe and Asia, as well as all of North America from the coast to the highlands. Achilles, who utilized plant extracts to cure troops’ wounds during the battle of Troy, is the inspiration behind the naming of the genus Achillea.
Uses
Chemicals found in yarrow may help prevent stomach cramps and fight infections. Yarrow is frequently used to treat a variety of ailments, including eczema, IBS, and wound healing.
Varieties
There are various yarrow cultivars available, and zones 3 through 9 are suitable for growing them all.
‘Apple Blossom’: 2 to 3 feet tall and broad; flowers light pink to pale rose to purple
‘Cerise Queen’: 2 feet tall with a similar or slightly wider spread; deep pink flowers; dark green foliage
‘Moonshine’: 18 inches tall by 24 inches wide; lemon-yellow flowers; silvery leaves
“New Vintage Red“: 10 to 14 inches tall by 10 to 12 inches wide; vivid red flowers; bright green leaves
‘Paprika’: Among the most well-liked yarrow plants; 24 inches tall by 30 inches broad; brick-red blooms with yellow centers
Peach-pink blooms measuring 23 to 36 inches tall by 18 to 24 inches wide are called “Peachy Seduction.”
“Red Velvet“: Red blooms that don’t fade; 2-3 feet in height and width
“Salmon Beauty“: 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide; flowers begin salmon pink and fade to creamy yellow.
Plant Care
- Light
Give yarrow ample sun to promote optimal blooming, prevent fungal invasions, and maintain a compact form.
- Soil
All the yarrow seeks for is good drainage. Though it grows best in well-drained soil, it can endure clay soil better than many other plants. It doesn’t need a lot of food and grows well in a variety of soil types.
- Water
Once planted, yarrow can withstand droughts. In all save the driest of circumstances, it is preferable to err on the side of underwatering the plant since overwatering might encourage the fungal infections to which yarrow is susceptible.
- Temperature and Humidity
Yarrow is a plant that can tolerate a wide range of climatic conditions, growing in zones 3 to 9. It can tolerate enough heat and is cold-hardy to grow in zone 9. However, after that point, it may become vulnerable to the humidity and fungal diseases like powdery mildew, which are made worse by the dampness.
- Fertilizer
Yarrow plants don’t need very fertile soil to thrive. Although not required, a yearly application of compost in the spring will stimulate the plant. Indeed, don’t fertilize it at all if you’re concerned about it getting out of control.
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