Yes, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennials, meaning it will come back every year. This hardy North American native is known for its long-blooming clusters of tiny flowers that come back year after year with minimal maintenance.
Yarrow grows best in well-drained soil, and prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Planting a yarrow clump in areas where multiple flower colors are desired, such as in front of a mixed perennial border, is a great way to get a long-lasting color show throughout the growing season.
For many gardeners, yarrow is a staple in the garden and can bring a good deal of beauty over the years.
Does yarrow spread by seed?
Yes, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) does spread by seed. Yarrow is a hardy plant that has a vigorous growth habit and can spread easily through its numerous self-seeding capabilities. When the flowerheads are left intact, the flowers will turn to seed heads and the tiny, fragrant seeds of yarrow will quickly spread with the help of wind, birds, and other animals.
Yarrow also grows easily from seed that has been collected or purchased for planting. Once established in an area, yarrow can spread quickly and become a weed. Therefore, to keep it in check, flowerheads should be routinely deadheaded and any extra stems or seedlings should be removed.
Does the yarrow plant spread?
Yes, the yarrow plant spreads easily and quickly. It produces many seeds that are spread by the wind, and it has a strong root system that can form new plants. It also produces rhizomes which are modified underground stems that allow the plant to spread laterally by forming new roots and stems along its length.
The yarrow plant is an aggressive spreader and can become a weed in garden beds if it isn’t carefully managed. If a large infestation of the yarrow plant is present, it’s best to use a hoe to carefully remove them.
Hand-pulling is also an option, but this may be difficult depending on how long the yarrow plant has been present in the area.
How do you get seeds from yarrow?
To get seeds from yarrow, you will need to allow the flowers to die back and fade away on the plant. As this happens, the flower heads will start to turn brown and develop a papery feeling. Once this happens, you can pluck the flower heads off and place them in a paper bag or a dry, airy spot on a kitchen shelf.
After a few weeks, the seeds will fall out of the flower head and into the bag. Make sure to check the bag periodically, as the seeds can lose viability if they are left too long. When you are ready to plant, simply scatter the seeds across the planting area and lightly press them into the soil.
Be sure to water and keep the soil moist until the yarrow seeds germinate and begin sprouting.
What can you not plant near yarrow?
Yarrow is considered to be a fairly low-maintenance plant, but it does have specific needs when it comes to growing conditions. It is important to be aware of what plants not to grow near yarrow, as the wrong companions can adversely affect its growth.
Yarrow does not do well when planted close to other plants that require a lot of water, such as lettuce and spinach. Because yarrow is an extremely drought-tolerant plant, it requires very little water and planting these moisture-loving plants close to it could lead to the roots of the yarrow being taken up too much water and greatly experimenting its health.
Yarrow should also not be planted near cabbage or cabbage relatives, such as cauliflower or brussels sprouts, as the cabbage family can be prone to flea beetle and cutworm infestations, which yarrow is particularly susceptible to.
Finally, yarrow should not be planted near species of mint or oregano, as these herbs are aggressive growers and will quickly outcompete the yarrow for sunlight and other resources. Additionally, if the same soil is used to grow both herbs, they will cross-germinate and crowd out the yarrow plants.
How do you collect seeds?
Collecting seeds can involve a few different steps, depending on the type of plants you are attempting to save seeds from. For most annual plants, you can typically simply wait until the seeds have fully developed, at which point they will be ready to be harvested.
To harvest them, simply cut the seed heads off the stems and place them in a paper bag or other container. Once harvested, you can spread them out to dry in a warm, dry, airy place away from direct sunlight.
Once they are fully dry, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place until you are ready to plant them.
For perennials or biennials, you may need to collect the seeds from green seed pods in order to avoid waiting for them to dry out on the plant. Simply use scissors to cut off the seed heads when the pods are still green and shake them into a paper bag or container.
After collecting, you will need to dry them out further before storing in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
No matter which method you use to collect seeds, it is important to store them in a cool, dark and dry location until you are ready to use them. With proper storage techniques and a little patience, you can save and store a large number of diverse seeds.
How long does it take yarrow to grow from seed?
Yarrow normally takes up to 30 days or more to germinate, depending on the temperature, soil type, and moisture content. Once it starts to sprout, yarrow can take several months to grow to maturity. Generally, it takes around 90 days from seed to reaching its full height, give or take a few weeks depending on the specific growing conditions.
Yarrow can often reseed itself, allowing the plants to bloom and spread over time.
When should I plant Achillea seeds?
Achillea seeds should be planted either in the late fall or early spring. Late fall planting is best in cooler climates and early spring planting is better in warmer climates. If starting indoors, Achillea seeds should be planted 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
Sow the seeds ¼ inch deep in moist potting soil, keeping the soil moist but not soaking wet. Plant them in indirect light. Germination should occur in 10-21 days. Gradually increase the light and temperature, and when the plants are established, gradually transition them to their outdoor location.
If directly sowing seeds outside, wait until the soil is thoroughly warm and all danger of frost has passed.
How hard is it to grow yarrow?
Growing yarrow is actually quite easy. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil, though it can tolerate light shade and has some drought tolerance. It generally doesn’t need fertilizing, unless it’s planted in particularly poor soil.
Yarrow is a hardy perennial and will readily self-seed in the right environment. It can get powdery mildew if it doesn’t get enough air circulation, so it’s important to space plants at least 8 – 12 inches apart and site them in an area with good air flow.
Yarrow is an aggressive perennial, and can spread and spread quickly in the right environment, so be sure to keep it contained if that’s not desirable.
Is yarrow an invasive plant?
No, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is not considered an invasive plant in a majority of the places it is found, including the United States. In fact, its native range actually spans across much of the temperate Northern Hemisphere and includes areas of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Though it is not considered an invasive plant, yarrow can be an aggressive spreader in parts of its native range and in gardens. It can also spread to areas that it didn’t historically inhabit in some cases, leading it to be described as an “opportunistic invader” in a few areas.
Yarrow is a hardy, nitrogen-fixing plant that loves to grow in disturbed soils, which may explain its tendency to spread. It is often grown by gardeners for its beauty and usefulness in natural remedies, as it has long been valued for its medicinal properties.
While in some cases it may spread to areas it didn’t historically inhabit, it usually does not overwhelm other plants or disrupt natural ecosystems, making it a relatively non-invasive plant.
Is yarrow toxic to dogs?
Yes, yarrow is toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts. All parts of the yarrow plant, including the flowers, leaves, and stems, are considered toxic for dogs and should be avoided. Symptoms of yarrow toxicity in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and an increased heart rate.
In severe cases, yarrow toxicity can result in bleeding disorders, jaundice, and even severe liver damage. If you believe your dog has eaten a large amount of yarrow, contact your veterinarian immediately as it can be potentially serious.
Will yarrow rebloom if cut back?
Yes, yarrow will rebloom if cut back. Yarrow is an easy care and drought tolerant perennial that thrives in many different conditions. It is a drought tolerant plant, and will rebloom if cut back. Cutting the plant back at the end of the flowering season can help to keep the plant neat and tidy, as well as encouraging new growth and more blooms.
It is best to cut off faded or dead flowers to encourage healthy growth for the new season. When cutting back, be sure to leave some of the foliage intact to promote energy for the new blooms during the following season.
Is yarrow a perennial or annual?
Yarrow is a perennial plant. It is a low-growing, spreading weed with feathery, aromatic foliage and small flower heads made up of tiny, white to yellow daisy-like flowers. It has a long blooming season that begins in the spring and can go all the way until the fall.
Yarrow prefers to grow in sunny locations, with deep, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of drought and somewhat tolerant of poor soil conditions. It tolerates foot traffic and will survive light traffic if it is well taken care of.
Yarrow requires minimal maintenance and can be divided or transplanted in the spring or fall. Its ability to return season after season each year makes it a popular choice for many gardeners.
Does yarrow bloom all summer?
No, yarrow does not bloom all summer long. Yarrow typically blooms in late spring and early summer, with some varieties continuing to bloom intermittently into late summer. Depending on the variety and conditions, yarrow plants may produce one or two sets of blooms.
Yarrow prefers well-drained soil and full sun, and can tolerate drought and slightly acidic soil. It’s important to water them deeply at least twice a week to keep them thriving throughout the summer, when rainfall is limited.
After blooming, deadheading the spent blooms will encourage the plant to produce additional blooms.
Is yarrow easy to grow from seed?
Yes, yarrow is quite easy to grow from seed. Most yarrow seeds will germinate within about a week of being sown. The best time for planting yarrow seeds is just before the last frost of the spring season, or any time that is warmer than 50°F (10°C).
When planting, the seeds should be placed in a prepared bed that is slightly acidic with a pH between 5.6 and 6.5. Then, cover the seeds with a layer of soil that is no more than 1/8 of an inch deep.
Make sure the soil is kept moist and receive plenty of sunlight, and your yarrow should germinate within a week. Once the yarrow is established it should establish itself robustly and multiply rapidly.
How quickly does yarrow grow?
Yarrow is a fast-growing perennial herb that typically grows in a range of 1 to 2 feet in height. It grows well in sunny and partially shady areas, and can tolerate a variety of soils, as long as they are well-drained.
Yarrow blooms in the summertime, with flat clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers. Because of its hardiness, yarrow is a popular choice in low maintenance perennial gardens.
In ideal conditions, Yarrow can grow up to 6 inches a month, although this rate of growth can vary depending on climate, environment, soil, and other factors. Yarrow is a very hardy plant and can be relatively drought tolerant, so it can often hold up well in dry conditions.
Yarrow’s hardiness also makes it a great choice for erosion control as it does not need to be watered frequently.
Overall, Yarrow’s growth rate may range from slow to moderate, depending on the conditions. It typically takes around 1-2 years for Yarrow to reach full maturity, although this rate can vary from environment to environment.
Does yarrow need sun or shade?
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a robust, drought and heat tolerant plant that does well in full sun or partial shade. When the temperatures become hot and dry, the plant will often thrive better with some partial shade.
It is important to give the plant direct sunlight for at least four hours a day for best performance, however. If you are growing yarrow in a shadier spot, you will likely need to water it more often.
Even in full sun, soil moisture should be monitored at all times. Too much competition from taller plants can also cause yarrow to suffer if there is not enough sunlight. Proper placement and attention to sun and water requirements can help keep yarrow thriving.