Western yarrow is a perennial herb native to North America that grows 1-2 feet tall and 1 foot wide. It has bright green, feathery leaves and spreads rapidly through spreading roots. Small white to light pink-purple flowers bloom in flat heads in the spring and summer. Western yarrow is drought tolerant and can be used as ground cover, in beds, meadows and prairies. It mixes well with other plants, provides cut flowers, and attracts beneficial insects while repelling others. It can be propagated from seed or divisions and prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade.

1. Western Yarrow – Achillea millefolium
(ah-KILL-ee-uh mill-eh-FOH-lee-um)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Much of North America, all of CA. Found in meadows & pastures, coastal strand &
grasslands, stream banks, sand dunes, alkali sinks. Tends to grow on poor soils.
Growth characteristics: Herbaceous perennial
mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: 1 ft.
Upright perennial with bright green feathery (fern-like) leaves. Spreads rapidly from spreading roots.
Blooms/fruits: Small flowers in flat heads, spring-summer. Flowers usually white – may be light pinkpurple.
Uses in the garden: In beds, cottage gardens, meadows, prairies – mixes well with other flowers,
grasses. For cut flowers. Makes surprisingly tough, enduring ground cover or lawn substitute & can be
mowed. Young leaves edible in salads. Used medicinally & as dye plant. Flowers, foliage scented.
Sensible substitute for: non-native ground covers and Yarrows
Attracts: many beneficial insects, including butterflies, bees. Repels other insects.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Prefers full sun, esp. near coast; tolerates partial shade
Any well-drained, including clays; tolerates alkali
Established plants very drought tolerant – and remain green longer than grasses;
tolerates both moist and dry conditions
None needed; tolerates low potassium
Management: invasive potential, particularly with summer water. Can mow as needed with rotary
mower on high setting.
Propagation: from seed: easy & quick, fall by divisions: easy, spring or fall, either to ground or pots.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, most others (try locally collected seed) 11/23/10
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