Common Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Asteraceae · perennial · introduced
Last updated
Common yarrow is a tough, spreading perennial native across the Northern Hemisphere, growing one to three feet tall with finely dissected, feathery foliage and flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers from June through September. The species form is white; cultivars extend the color range through pink, red, yellow, and salmon.
Give it full sun and well-drained soil for best performance. Yarrow tolerates poor soils, drought, and heat once established. It spreads by rhizomes and can become aggressive in rich garden soil; site it where spreading is welcome or plan to divide regularly. Deadheading prolongs bloom. Few pest or disease issues; occasionally bothered by powdery mildew in humid conditions.