Yearning For Yarrows

Achillea filipendulina 'Coronation Gold'

Achillea  is a fine herbaceous perennial for multiple uses. This genus is tolerant of multiple soil types and most species are drought tolerant. It prefers full sun but I have found if you plant a rambunctious variety, you can plant it in partial sun which will slow down its rangy growth. However you will have less flowering. 

Yarrow (common name) is often thought as an old fashioned plant. And it is an old standby. However newer varieties with differing ranges of colors, form, and texture have inspired new looks by modern gardeners. In my garden it is a stalwart in early summer, when salvia and springs bulbs have faded. It blends with the newly flowering Mealy Blue Sage, Red Rocks Penstemon, ornamental grasses, and just starting to bloom Rudebeckias and Perovskia.

 

Coronation Gold and Mealy Blue Sage

Coronation Gold and Red Rocks Penstemon

Early Coronation Gold Flower Head with Mealy Blue Sage

Early Growth

Achillea millefolium 'Summer Pastels' is pictured above. It is my least favorite yarrow as it takes the most energy to keep it in its place. The photo gives it more justice than it deserves. This variety was started from seed a few years ago. It has been moved three times, ending up in the corner hellstrip which receives less nutrition. It was also divided and planted in 60% shade to hold it in place. This variety can be very aggressive if not root pruned often. A week ago this plant became leggy and fell over other neighboring perennials after a hard rain. The shovel came out and 50% of it was removed. A passerby motorists asked me if she could have it. I put it in her trunk along with other pass a long plants, salvia,(two varieties) and echinacae.

 

 These were the plants which were shovel pruned.

Not too pretty after pruning. This variety has a tendency to lay down.

Achillea 'Saucey Seduction' is probably my favorite yarrow right now. It stays in bounds, 12" in height and 18" in width. Nice fern like foliage and almost maintenance free. I'm not a big hot pink fan but this is a great choice.

Achillea millefolium 'Terra Cotta' is a newcomer to me. Planted it last year in two areas.Since its a millefolium I am concerned it may be invasive. Will see. As with all the yarrows I like the fern like foliage. It blends nicely with other grey leafed plants also. Once established it is drought tolerant. I like the terra cotta color, soft pastels. 18-24"

 Achillea serbica (Servian Yarrow) is a diminutive gray tight leafed ground cover variety known for its drought and heat tolerance. Very tight in its leaf structure, it does well in hot full sun and doesn't even blink (if it could). It doesn't even resemble a normal yarrow.

Yarrows are trouble free, drought resistant, have a fine texture, make great dried arrangements, have variable colors, and are pest free. Hard do beat in a hot and dry Kansas corner lot surrounded by asphalt on two sides!

 Yearn no more..