Achillea millefolium (Common Yarrow)

A tough, drought- and salt-tolerant pollinator perennial with one of the longest bloom windows in the native palette, common yarrow is a reliable low-maintenance filler for meadow, roadside, and xeric restoration plantings.

Species Overview

Achillea millefolium, commonly known as Common Yarrow, is a versatile herbaceous perennial found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Known for its feathery, fern-like leaves and flat-topped clusters of tiny white to pale pink flowers, it thrives in a variety of conditions, from dry meadows to roadsides. Yarrow blooms from late spring to fall, attracting a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.

Application

• Meadow and prairie-style restoration plantings
• Roadside and right-of-way plantings - tolerant of salt and poor soils
• Pollinator habitat and garden border plantings
• Low-maintenance groundcover in dry, well-drained sites
• Xeriscape and drought-tolerant landscape specifications

Growing Conditions / Specification Data

• Light: Full Sun to Part Shade
• Soil/Moisture Tolerance: Prefers dry, well-drained soils; tolerant of poor soils
• Drought Tolerance: High
• Flood Tolerance: Low - A dry-site, drought-adapted species; does not tolerate standing water or prolonged saturation.
• Salinity Tolerance: Moderate
• Growth Rate: Rapid - spreads aggressively by rhizomes and seed
• Plant Type: Forb (herbaceous perennial)
• Mature Height: 1-3 ft.
• Fall Color: Insignificant/None
• Bloom Color / Period: White, occasionally pale pink; May through September
• Wetland Indicator Status: FACU (Facultative Upland) - Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region
• Native Range: Native to temperate Europe and Asia; naturalized throughout nearly all of North America, from Canada to Mexico.
• Hydrology: Dry
• Root Depth: Shallow (Under 12 in.) (8 in.)
• Growth Habit: Spreading
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Deer Resistance: Yes (Rarely Damaged) - Rutgers rates it one tier down, "Seldom Severely Damaged"; see flags
• Pollinator Value: Supports bees and butterflies
• Shade Tolerance: Intermediate - tolerates partial shade but becomes leggy with reduced flowering compared to full sun

Planting Guidance

• Spreads readily by rhizome and seed - space accordingly for meadow-style plantings, or plan for periodic division/thinning in more formal border use.