Jefferson Seed Library

Yarrow

Yarrow is a beneficial flower that comes in a wide range of colors. From white and yellow to creams and pinks this perennial attracts both pollinators and predators that will eat a wide range of pests in the garden! 

  • Variety

Colorado Mix
  • Scientific Name
 Achillea millefolium
  • Growing Level
 Easy
  • Seed Saving Level
 N/A
  • Seed Storage
 3-5 years if properly stored
  • Life Cycle
 Perennial
  • Germination Time
 14-21 days
  • Frost Hardy?
 Yes Zones 4-8
  • Height
 28-30”
  • Light Requirements

Seeds need light for germination

Full sun
  • Blooms in
 Summer through fall
  • “Check Out” Month See Upcoming Events for specific “check out” dates. 
 February, March, August, September
  • In Stock?

No

 

Table of Contents

 

Growing Tips

Container Friendly
Companion Plant

When to Start

 

Spring: Start indoors 6-12 weeks before the last frost. (February – March for GA)

Direct Sow: After all danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)

Fall: Direct sow 12 weeks before the ground freezes in fall. (End of August – Beginning of September for GA)

How to Grow

 

Start indoors 6-12 weeks before the last frost. As the seeds need light to germinate, gently press the seeds into the seed starter mix. Then place them under grow lights. After hardening off and after all the danger of frost has passed, transplant them into a full-sun bed.

You can also direct sow after all danger of frost has passed in the spring or 12 weeks before the ground freezes in the fall.

 

Care

 

Yarrow prefers full sun but will tolerate part shade. Plant in a well-draining bed and thin or space the plants 12-24 inches apart. Divide every 3-4 years in the spring to maintain vigor and a healthy plant. Yarrow is sensitive to overwatering, which will encourage root rot.

 

Yarrow is frost-hardy in zones 4-8. For Jefferson, this is right on the border and winter care will be needed. Mulch in the fall and cover if temperatures get too cold. It might need to be treated as an annual. For flower arranging, cut the flowers when they are 2/3 open. Yarrow will also dry well and is good for dried arrangements.

 

Uses

 

Yarrow is an excellent companion plant that attracts both pollinators and predators that will eat aphids, tomato hornworms, squash vine borers, and cutworms, just to name a few!

 

Yarrow has been used as a medical herb. However, there hasn’t been a lot of scientific research done into the medical uses of yarrow. There are alkaloids that according to my research are fine in small amounts but harmful in large amounts. If used as a culinary or medical herb, please use it carefully and responsibly, and do your research to use it safely. 

Seed Saving

 

Instructions

 

Yarrow is typically propagated by dividing the plant. While you can let the plant go to seed, the seeds will eventually revert to their natural white-gray flowers. 

Features

  • Companion plant
  • Container friendly
  • Attracts pollinators
  • Good cut flowers
  • Good dried flowers
  • Drought tolerant
  • Poor-soil tolerant
  • Deer and Rabit resistant
  • Colorado Mix: Heirloom. Mix of blood red, cerise, cream, yellow, and white. Colorado mix has the good traits of yarrow but in an irresistible blend of colors. Will bloom until frost.​

You May Also Like: 

Pest Management

Companion Plant Caraway

Companion Plant Nasturtium 

Companion Planting: How to use flowers to help control pests.

Trap cropping: How to keep pests out of your main crop.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Sources:

Rareseeds.com

Burpee.com

Edenbrothers.com