Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

perennial☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 3a – Zone 9b

Yarrow is a hardy perennial with feathery, finely divided foliage and dense, flat-topped flower clusters in shades of pink, red, yellow, or white. It thrives in lean, dry conditions and attracts butterflies and pollinators.

Overview

Form: Upright
Growth Rate: moderate
Size: 1.5–3′ tall × 1.5–2.5′ wide
Dormancy: deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

moderate

Zone 3aZone 9b

1471013

ColderWarmer

pH Range

7.0

3.556.589

Soil Texture

Coarse, Medium

Seasonality

Bloom Season

Harvest Season

Season of Interest

SummerFall

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Temperate Eurasia

Function & Care

dynamic accumulatormedicinalpollinator nectarywildlife benefitedible

Edible Parts

leafflower

Establishment & Care

Establishment: easy
Maintenance: low
Propagation: seed, cutting, division

Companion Planting

Plants well with

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia

Yarrow is a confirmed insectary plant that harbors parasitic wasps and hoverflies; when interplanted with lavender the combined aromatic canopy creates a stable beneficial insect habitat.

tomato

Solanum lycopersicum

Yarrow is reported to improve the essential oil content of aromatic neighbors and to attract predatory insects (ladybirds, lacewings) that reduce tomato aphid pressure.

cabbage, broccoli, and allies

Brassica oleracea

Yarrow attracts parasitic wasps and other beneficial insects that prey on cabbage worms, aphids, and other brassica pests.

Notable Cultivars

Popular cultivars include 'Moonshine' (pale yellow flowers), 'Paprika' (deep red), and 'Summer Pastels' (mixed soft colors). These are bred for extended bloom and compact growth.