Yarrow Live Plant Achillea Millefolium – Perennial Herb for Pollinator & Cut Flower Gardens, Hardy Zones 3-9

Overview

Introduce a touch of rustic elegance and vibrant color to your outdoor spaces with our yarrow live plant. Scientifically known as Achillea Millefolium, and commonly referred to as Common Yarrow or Milfoil, this robust perennial is a native of Europe, celebrated for its hardiness and versatility. Our yarrow live plant arrives as a healthy starter, ready to establish itself and bring abundant blooms to your garden. Yarrow is a favorite among gardeners for its ability to attract beneficial insects, making it an excellent companion plant in pollinator and cut flower gardens. Its upright habit typically reaches 16-20 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide, displaying clusters of orange flowers from April through September. Once established, this low-maintenance plant is remarkably drought-tolerant, flourishing in full sun across a wide range of growing conditions.

This particular yarrow live plant is ideal for containers, cottage gardens, sunny borders, and dedicated cut flower beds. Its long-lasting blooms are not only beautiful in the garden but also make a staple for both fresh and dried bouquets, offering incredible versatility. While photos provide a guideline, expect natural variations in flower color as maturity and local weather can influence their intensity, adding unique charm to your garden and arrangements. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, yarrow promises a rewarding and beautiful addition to your landscape, requiring minimal fuss for maximum impact.

Key Benefits

Adding a yarrow live plant to your garden offers a multitude of advantages, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and ecological value. This resilient perennial is a true workhorse, providing continuous beauty and support for local ecosystems.

• Attracts Pollinators: Yarrow is a magnet for ladybugs, bees, and other beneficial pollinators, significantly boosting the health and biodiversity of your garden ecosystem. It’s an essential plant for a thriving pollinator garden.
• Drought-Tolerant & Low-Maintenance: Once established, this common yarrow perennial is incredibly resilient, requiring minimal watering and care. It’s an excellent choice for xeriscaping or gardeners seeking a beautiful, fuss-free plant.
• Long-Blooming Season: Enjoy continuous clusters of vibrant flowers from April through September, providing consistent color and interest throughout the growing season. This extended bloom period makes it a standout performer.
• Versatile Garden Use: Perfect for a variety of settings including containers, cottage gardens, sunny borders, and specifically designed cut flower yarrow beds. Its adaptability makes it suitable for almost any sunny spot.
• Excellent Cut & Dried Flower: The sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms are ideal for fresh floral arrangements. Yarrow also dries beautifully, allowing you to enjoy its charm indoors long after the growing season ends.
• Hardy & Resilient: Thriving in USDA Zones 3 to 9, yarrow can withstand a wide range of temperatures and conditions, making it a reliable choice for many climates. Its robust nature ensures it bounces back year after year.
• Companion Plant Benefits: Beyond attracting pollinators, yarrow can help deter pests and improve the health of nearby plants, making it a valuable addition to vegetable and herb gardens.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your yarrow live plant is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. This resilient perennial thrives with minimal intervention, provided its basic needs are met. For optimal growth, plant your yarrow in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent scorching. When planting, ensure proper spacing of 12 to 18 inches between plants to allow for good air circulation, which is crucial for preventing fungal issues like powdery mildew.

Regarding soil, Achillea Millefolium care prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH (6.5–7.5). It is quite tolerant of poorer soils and can handle drought conditions once established, but good drainage is paramount to prevent root rot. After transplanting, keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged until the plant is well-established. Once settled, water occasionally, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions. Fertilization is generally not necessary for yarrow, as it thrives in lean conditions. Over-fertilizing can lead to leggy growth and fewer flowers. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage reblooming and maintain a tidy appearance, though pinching is not strictly required. This plant is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9, capable of withstanding a wide range of temperatures.

Planting is best done in early spring after the last frost, or in late summer/early fall to allow establishment before winter. While it can handle some cooler weather, protect new plugs from heavy freezes. Yarrow is generally pest-resistant, though it may occasionally be affected by powdery mildew or rust in humid conditions; ensuring proper air circulation is the best preventative measure. For harvesting, cut stems when 70–80% of the flower heads on the umbel are open, ideally in the early morning when plants are cool and hydrated. Use gloves when handling, as some individuals may experience a mild allergic reaction to its foliage. For post-harvest care, place stems in cool water immediately; yarrow’s natural long vase life often doesn’t require floral preservatives, and it’s an excellent candidate for drying.

Size & Details

This yarrow live plant is provided as a healthy starter seedling, typically arriving in a small plug-size 1" x 1" x 1 1/4” container. Each seedling is naturally grown, so plant sizes will vary slightly, reflecting their organic development. While images may depict mature or blooming plants, you will receive a young, actively growing plant that is ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger pot. The mature plant typically reaches an upright habit of 16-20 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide, forming a beautiful clump.

Yarrow is known for its relatively fast growth rate once established, often flowering in its first year if planted early enough. However, it will truly hit its stride and produce its most abundant blooms in the second season. It is a perennial, meaning it will return year after year, providing continuous beauty and benefits. This variety is known for its clusters of orange flowers, though specific color intensity can vary due to environmental factors. It is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9, indicating its adaptability to a broad range of climates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this yarrow live plant get? A: This yarrow live plant typically grows to an upright habit of 16-20 inches tall and spreads 18-24 inches wide when mature. Individual plant sizes may vary slightly depending on growing conditions and specific variety.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Each seedling comes in a small plug-size 1″ x 1″ x 1 1/4” container, perfectly sized for safe transport and immediate transplanting into your garden or a larger pot.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Yarrow is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun conditions. It is best suited for garden beds, borders, and containers placed outdoors where it can receive ample sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best results and abundant blooms, your yarrow live plant requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, it can tolerate some afternoon shade.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, yarrow is considered a low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering and care, making it an excellent choice for beginners and busy gardeners alike.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: We carefully pack and ship healthy starter plants. While minor foliage damage or yellowing can occur during transit due to lack of light, the strong root system is the most important feature. New growth will emerge as the plant recovers.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the yarrow live plant seedling comes rooted in a small plug of soil within its container, ensuring it stays healthy during shipping and is ready for transplanting.
• Q: Can I use cut flower yarrow in arrangements? A: Absolutely! Yarrow is highly prized as a cut flower yarrow due to its long-lasting blooms and sturdy stems, making it a staple for both fresh and dried floral arrangements.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: Your common yarrow perennial can often produce flowers in its first year if planted early enough in the season. However, it will truly establish and hit its full blooming potential in its second season.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Yarrow is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 9, meaning it is well-equipped to survive winter in a wide range of climates. Protection for new plugs from heavy freezes is recommended in its first year.