Bloodwort, Carpenter's Weed, Common Yarrow, Devil's Nettle, Fern-leaf Yarrow, Milfoil, Nose Bleed, Oldman's Pepper, Sanguinary, Soldier's Woundwort, Stenchgrass, Thousandleaf, Yarrow
| When to Plant: | |
| Spring |
| Blooms: | |
| Summer to Early Fall |
| Light Requirements: | |
| Full Sun |
| Plant Height: | ||
| 24-36" | ||
| Hardiness Zones: | |
| Grow as Perennial in zones 3-9. Grow as Annual elsewhere. Find Your Zone |
| Planting Depth: | |
| 1-2" |
| Plant Spacing: | |
| 12-36" |
| Plant Type: | |
| Rhizome |
Yarrow, botanically known as Achillea, is a very easy to grow perennial. The name Achillea comes from Achilles, the Trojan War hero in Greek mythology. Achilles used achillea medicinally to stop bleeding and heal his soldier's wounds.
Achillea is resistant to deer, tolerant of heat, drought and wind and grows in nearly any soil type - even almost desert-like gardens. Use as garden plant, cut flower and in dried flower arrangements. Achillea blooms for a very long time, summer to fall, and attracts many butterflies and other pollinators to the garden. Fragrant. It is low maintenance and requires little to no care once established.
Plant Achillea in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. Achillea prefers full sun locations.
The ideal soil is rich and porous and drains well, yet still holds enough water for the roots. If your soil is heavy clay and drains slowly, or very sandy and does not hold water, add organic soil amendments like peat moss or ground bark. Spread a 3-4 inch layer of soil amendment if needed and incorporate into the soil to a depth of 10 inches.
Plant rhizomes 1-2" deep and 12-36" apart. Cover with soil. When planting a large number of Achillea in one bed, excavate the entire area to the recommended depth, work fertilizer into the bottom of the trench, set out rhizomes and then cover all at once. Water thoroughly at planting. While actively growing, water frequently and thoroughly so that water will reach roots. Mulch to keep the soil cool and to prevent the soil from drying out.
Apply fertilizer during growing season until foliage starts to turn yellow.
After frost has damaged the foliage in non-hardy zones, dig up rhizomes, dry for a few days, trim off foliage and store in barely damp peat moss at 50-60ºF during the winter. Be sure to check on them a few times to make sure they are not too moist or too dry. Replant in spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Achillea prefers hot, dry locations but still needs to be watered regularly if completely dry. Divide every 3-5 years.
