How to Grow and Care for Yarrow (1)

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a hardy perennial known for its beautiful, vibrant flowers and easy-care nature. It can be grown in a variety of garden settings, offering both ornamental and medicinal benefits. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to grow and care for yarrow, ensuring it thrives in your garden.

Choosing the Right Location

Yarrow prefers full sun, which promotes the most vibrant flower production. It thrives in well-drained soil, tolerating both poor soil conditions and drought. When selecting a planting site, ensure the area receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. While yarrow is tolerant of different soil types, it performs best in slightly alkaline to neutral soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 8.0.

If your soil tends to retain water, consider planting yarrow in raised beds or on slopes to improve drainage and avoid root rot. It is also an excellent choice for xeriscaping or low-water gardens due to its drought-tolerant nature.

Planting Yarrow

Yarrow can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or established plants purchased from a nursery. Here’s how to plant it:

1. From Seeds:

   • Start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, or sow directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

   • To plant indoors, scatter seeds on the surface of moist soil and lightly press them down. Yarrow seeds need light to germinate, so avoid covering them with soil.

   • Keep the seeds at a temperature of around 65-70°F (18-21°C). Germination typically occurs in 10-14 days.

   • After the seedlings have grown large enough to handle, harden them off for a week before transplanting them outdoors.

2. From Cuttings:

   • Take a cutting from an established yarrow plant in the late spring or early summer.

   • Strip the lower leaves from the stem and plant it in a pot with well-drained soil.

   • Keep the cutting in a warm, sunny spot and mist it lightly to keep the air moist around it. Roots should develop in about 2-4 weeks.

3. From Nursery Plants:

   • If you buy established plants, dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball of the plant.

   • Place the plant in the hole at the same depth it was growing in its pot and fill the surrounding area with soil.

   • Water thoroughly after planting.

Watering and Fertilizing

Yarrow is drought-tolerant once established, but it will perform better with regular watering during dry spells. Water deeply to encourage strong root development, but avoid overwatering, as yarrow is susceptible to root rot in waterlogged conditions.

Fertilizing is not usually necessary, as yarrow thrives in poor to average soil. However, if your soil is particularly nutrient-poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring can encourage healthy growth and flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Pruning and Deadheading

Pruning helps maintain the shape and health of your yarrow plant. After the plant has finished blooming, trim back the spent flowers to promote new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy.

In the early spring, cut back dead stems and any damaged growth from the previous season to encourage fresh growth. If the plant has become too tall or unruly, you can also trim it back to maintain a neat appearance.

Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Yarrow flowers tend to bloom in the early to mid-summer, with some varieties offering a second round of blooms if deadheaded regularly.

Pests and Diseases

Yarrow is relatively pest-resistant, but it can occasionally suffer from aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs. These pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or by spraying the plant with a strong stream of water to dislodge the pests.

Yarrow is also susceptible to a few fungal diseases, including powdery mildew and rust. Good air circulation around the plant can help prevent these diseases. Avoid overhead watering, which can increase humidity and create a favorable environment for fungal growth. If you notice signs of disease, remove affected leaves or stems to prevent it from spreading.

Overwintering Yarrow

Yarrow is winter-hardy in USDA zones 3-9, so it can survive cold winters in most climates. In colder regions, you can mulch around the base of the plant in the fall to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

Before the first frost, trim back the foliage to about 2-3 inches above the soil line. This will help prevent moisture from accumulating on the foliage and encourage a tidy, healthy appearance come spring. In areas with mild winters, yarrow may continue to grow, though it will often go dormant during the coldest months.

Propagating Yarrow

Yarrow can be easily propagated through division or stem cuttings. Here’s how:

1. Division:

   • In early spring or fall, dig up an established yarrow plant and divide it into smaller sections.

   • Each section should have healthy roots and shoots. Replant the divisions immediately in well-drained soil, spacing them 18-24 inches apart.

2. Cuttings:

   • As mentioned, you can take softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring to early summer. Rooting hormone may be used to encourage faster rooting, but it’s not always necessary.

Companion Planting with Yarrow

Yarrow’s hardiness and drought tolerance make it an excellent companion plant in many garden settings. It pairs well with other sun-loving perennials such as lavender, echinacea, and black-eyed Susans. It also works well in wildflower gardens and cottage-style plantings.

Avoid planting yarrow near overly aggressive plants that might overshadow it, such as mint or creeping thyme. Its strong scent can deter certain pests, so consider pairing yarrow with vegetables like cabbage or tomatoes to provide natural pest control.

Varieties of Yarrow

While the common white yarrow is the most well-known, there are many varieties of yarrow that offer a wide range of colors and flower forms. Some popular varieties include:

• ‘Moonshine’: A variety with silvery foliage and bright yellow flowers.

• ‘Apple Blossom’: A soft pink variety that adds a delicate touch to gardens.

• ‘Paprika’: Known for its deep red flowers.

• ‘Cerise Queen’: Offers vibrant pink flowers and a bushy habit.

Each of these varieties has slightly different growth habits, but all thrive under similar conditions. If you’re looking for a striking addition to your garden, consider choosing a variety that complements the colors of your other plants.

Conclusion

Growing and caring for yarrow is simple, making it a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners. With its drought tolerance, low-maintenance care requirements, and beautiful, pollinator-friendly flowers, yarrow is a valuable addition to any garden. By providing the right growing conditions, such as full sun, well-drained soil, and moderate watering, your yarrow will flourish and provide beauty for years to come.