Plant profile

Yarrow

Species Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is a tough, easygoing wildflower that brings long-lasting blooms and steady pollinator visits to gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.

Plant Type

Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Yarrow

Aliases

Yarrow

Native Range

Widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere; local status can vary by region and cultivar.

Bloom window

Long-blooming through the warm season (timing varies by site)

Overview Summary Impact Recognition Location Requirements Glossary Get Involved

OVERVIEW

About This Plant

Yarrow is a dependable perennial wildflower that fits easily into many kinds of gardens. Its blooms come in clusters made of many tiny flowers, which can be especially useful for pollinators that prefer lots of small, quick visits.

Where it shines:

Sunny, well-drained spots where you want long-lasting color
Pollinator patches that need a reliable mid-season bloomer
Containers and small beds where low-maintenance plants are a priority

How to get the best results:

Prioritize sun and drainage over rich soil.
Water to establish, then keep watering moderate.
Trim spent blooms to encourage more flowering and a neat look.

If you’re building a pollinator-friendly planting, yarrow works best as part of a mix—pair it with earlier and later bloomers so something is flowering across the season.

Best role for pollinators

Sunny beds, pollinator patches, school gardens, and low-maintenance borders

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) — https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/17096329 Photo: (c) tamooky, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | CC-BY-NC | iNaturalist

FAST FACTS

Quick Details

Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.

Category	Details
Also known as	Yarrow
Bloom window	Long-blooming through the warm season (timing varies by site)
Typical height	Low to medium height, depending on conditions
Pollinators supported	Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Beetles
Light & moisture	Best in sun; prefers well-drained soil and can handle some dryness once established.
Best roles for pollinators	Sunny beds, pollinator patches, school gardens, and low-maintenance borders

SUMMARY

If You Remember Three Things

A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.

What they do

Yarrow provides clusters of small flowers that can support a variety of visiting pollinators over a long stretch of the season.

What they need

Give it sun and decent drainage, then keep care simple—yarrow usually performs best without fuss.

One best action

Plant yarrow in a sunny spot and avoid spraying pesticides where pollinators feed.

IMPACT

Why Plant This?

Yarrow is a reliable, long-blooming perennial that can help keep pollinator-friendly flowers available through much of the warm season, especially in sunny, well-drained spots.

Yarrow’s flat-topped flower clusters act like a “landing pad,” making it easier for many insects to feed.

Key Impacts

What it Supports

Many tiny flowers in each cluster can offer lots of quick feeding stops.
Works well in small spaces, including a single pot or a narrow garden strip.
Pairs easily with other wildflowers to create a longer season of blooms.

RECOGNITION

Identification Guide

Use these simple clues to recognize yarrow in the garden.

Leaves

Soft-looking, feathery leaves that are finely divided and often form a low mound at the base.

Flowers

Flat-topped clusters made of many tiny flowers; colors vary by variety, often white to soft tones.

Fruits

Small, dry seeds form after flowering; leaving some seedheads can add texture.

Gallery image

LOCATION

Where It Grows

Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.

Habitats

Open sunny areas
Meadows and field edges
Roadside-style, well-drained sites

Where it is often used

Pollinator patch or school garden bed
Sunny border and mixed perennial planting
Meadow-style planting (where appropriate)
Container planting (with good drainage)

SEASONALITY

When It Blooms

Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.

Bloom window

Yarrow often blooms for a long stretch once it gets going.

Bloom Season Role: A steady “workhorse” bloomer that helps keep flowers available across the season.

Seasonal benefits

Helps keep flowers available when early blooms fade
Can provide repeat color and pollinator activity with simple deadheading

REQUIREMENTS

What It Needs

The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.

Sun exposure

Aim for a sunny spot for the strongest stems and best flowering; part sun can work but may reduce bloom and increase flopping.

Soil type

Well-drained soil is key. It tolerates average soils and often struggles in heavy, soggy ground.

Moisture needs

Water to establish, then let the soil dry a bit between waterings. In containers, water when the top of the potting mix feels dry.

Planting method

Plant in spring or fall. Give it room for airflow and to form a clump over time.

Mulching tips

Use a light mulch layer if needed, but keep the crown from staying damp.

GARDENING GUIDE

How to Grow It

Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

Planting tips

Choose a sunny location with good drainage (or use a pot with drainage holes).
Loosen the soil and remove weeds where the plant will go.
Plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot; firm soil gently around the roots.
Water well after planting, then water as needed while it settles in.
Add a simple plant label so it’s easy to recognize as it grows.

Seasonal care

Deadhead (trim off spent flower clusters) to encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy.
If stems flop, move to a sunnier spot next season or reduce rich fertilizer/compost additions.
Divide crowded clumps every few years to refresh growth and share plants.
Cut back old stems after flowering or leave some structure until the next season, then tidy up.