Achillea millefolium
common yarrow
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- Standard £5.95
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: Full sun
- Soil: Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of Growth: Fast
- Flowering period: May to August
- Hardiness: Fully hardy
A tough spreading wildflower with long, narrow, finely dissected aromatic green leaves and white, (sometimes pink as it can be variable being a species) umbel-like flowers floating above ribbed stems. Perfect for wilder parts of your garden and amongst ornamental grasses to attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Yarrow is also good for cutting and drying.
Avoid overly wet conditions, particularly in winter, and in exposed positions stake using bamboo canes or brushwood before the flowers appear. Cut down to the ground in late winter, but resist the urge to do this earlier, as the seed heads look lovely in low winter light. Lift and divide large clumps in late autumn or early spring.
Surface sow on seed compost, making sure not to cover the seed and keep warm (20-25C). Water from the base only when necessary and when the seedlings have developed a pair of two true leaves, gently prick out and pot on individually. Grow on, gradually acclimatising, before planting out after frost.