Achillea Species, Yarrow, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Staunchweed
Achillea millefolium
| Family: | Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Achillea (ak-ih-LEE-a) (Info) |
| Species: | millefolium (mill-ee-FOH-lee-um) (Info) |
| Synonym: | Achillea albida |
| Synonym: | Achillea ambigua |
| Synonym: | Achillea ambigua |
| Synonym: | Achillea anethifolia |
| Synonym: | Achillea angustissima |
View this plant in a gardenCategory:
Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Herbaceous
This plant is resistant to deer
Foliage Color:
Height:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color:
Pink
Pale Yellow
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
5.1 to 5.5 (strongly acidic)
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing the rootball
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Birmingham, Alabama
Huntsville, Alabama
Chandler, Arizona
Magalia, California
Merced, California
Aurora, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
Bartow, Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Keystone Heights, Florida
Oakland, Florida
Saint Augustine, Florida
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Tallahassee, Florida
Royston, Georgia
Boise, Idaho
Anna, Illinois
Chicago, Illinois
Chillicothe, Illinois
Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Park Forest, Illinois
Pekin, Illinois
Washington, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Jeffersonville, Indiana
Indianola, Iowa
Pacific Junction, Iowa
Benton, Kentucky
Gonzales, Louisiana
Bowie, Maryland
Brookeville, Maryland
Erie, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Saint Helen, Michigan
Isle, Minnesota
La Crescent, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Madison, Mississippi
Saucier, Mississippi
Waynesboro, Mississippi
Aurora, Missouri
Cole Camp, Missouri
Plainfield, New Jersey
Seaside Heights, New Jersey
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Elephant Butte, New Mexico
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Kure Beach, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Belfield, North Dakota
Guysville, Ohio
Springboro, Ohio
Stow, Ohio
Altus, Oklahoma
Enid, Oklahoma
Jay, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Baker City, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Millersburg, Pennsylvania
Millerstown, Pennsylvania
Prosperity, South Carolina
Lenoir City, Tennessee
Thompsons Station, Tennessee
Arlington, Texas
Austin, Texas
Beaumont, Texas
Belton, Texas
De Leon, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Humble, Texas
Santo, Texas
Tremonton, Utah
Leesburg, Virginia
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Midland, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Bay Center, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Morgantown, West Virginia
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Positive | On Aug 13, 2013, outdoorlover from Enid, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: This plant loves living in this area. It grows and grows, and stands straight up even when over watered. It is a vigorous grower with long standing blooms; |
| Positive | On May 9, 2008, Gaiagirl from Midland, VA wrote: I made the mistake of planting Yarrow amongst other, more labor-intensive plants once, before understanding how it spreads (rhizomes) and so on. Now, I take advantage of its "invasiveness" to fill in an otherwise mangey-looking mostly-sunny spot along our otherwise wooded driveway. It's a refreshing break from all the weed trees, cedars, scrub growth, etc. Mullein usually pops up in the same area every year, so I'm liking it a lot. Note that when you pop for the wildly colored Yarrows that sometimes show up in nurseries, it's likely to revert back to its native off-white the following season. I found that to be true of a wine-colored variety I had once. Let it be the Yarrow it wants to be. Mine did great during last year's drought, when everything else was looking poor. |
| Positive | On Jun 29, 2006, CaptMicha from Brookeville, MD (Zone 7a) wrote: Every summer, when I was a child, we would spend our summers in upstate NY, at Swan Lake. |
| Neutral | On Jan 23, 2006, MotherNature4 from Bartow, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: Just give it its own bed. It stays there pretty well. Yes, it can become invasive if you plant it in a bed with other plants. |
| Positive | On Jan 23, 2006, Breezymeadow from Culpeper, VA (Zone 7a) wrote: This lovely wildflower/herb grows wild throughout Virginia, & I have quite a bit of it out in my fields, where it mingles beautifully with the wild ageratum, rudbeckia, queen anne's lace, etc. |
| Neutral | On Jan 22, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: I have read that yarrow is hardy in zones 2-10. Light aids germination of seeds. Blooms June-September in my garden. Performs best when not overwatered or over-fertilized, and flowers have the best color in full sun. Cut the plant way back when it starts looking shabby and it will come back looking nice and new again. |
| Negative | On Jul 31, 2005, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote: Today we broke down and dug all this out. We found it was taking over the secret garden we had it planted in, and we also didn't like it's odor. |
| Positive | On May 2, 2005, ladyannne from Merced, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: Another herbal medicine cabinet must, it is a tonic and astrigent. One of our bunny's favorite treats. A super filler for dry area backgrounds, easily controlled by dead heading. |
| Neutral | On Apr 2, 2005, SalmonMe from Springboro, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: Deadhead to lateral buds to prolong bloom period. Older plants may not respond as well as young plants do to deadheading efforts. Very wet soil may make this plant somewhat leggy. This plant is known for having an invasive habit in the garden, but diligent deadheading can prevent reseeding. |
| Neutral | On Mar 24, 2005, pokerboy from Canberra, This is a yarrow that spreads quickly and produces its fair share of starry white flowers thoughout the warmer months. If dead headed immediately it will rebloom. This plant is very drought tolerant. pokerboy. |
| Positive | On Nov 18, 2004, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: Wild Yarrow or Milfoil grows in old fields, edges of woodlands and thickets. |
| Positive | On May 13, 2004, frostweed from Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: Yarrow is a lovely wild flower that requires no care and blooms reliably. |
| Neutral | On Aug 1, 2002, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote: Flowers are produced over a long season of bloom, June through September. Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Tolerant of dry soils, this achillea grows 2-3’ tall and should be spaced a similar distance apart. Well suited for the vase, and outstanding as dried cuts, with stiff stems and persistent color. They also attract butterflies. |
| Neutral | On Nov 23, 2000, poppysue from Westbrook, ME (Zone 5a) wrote: This mat forming perennial has soft and feathery foliage that spreads by rhizomes. The common white yarrow has a reputation of being invasive in the garden but there are many hybrid cultivars with better manners for sale at garden centers. Its name achillea comes from the legend that it was used by Achilles to stop the bleeding of his wounded soldiers. Millefolium means “thousand leaved” referring to it’s finely divided ferny leaves. It is still used medicinally by herbalist as a styptic, for treating fevers, colds, and liver disorders. The flat flower clusters reach 4 inchess across and they hold their color well when dried, making it useful in dried floral crafts. Plants prefer full sun and well-drained soil but it’s tolerant of wide range of conditions and useful for trouble spot... read more |
