Achillea millefolium
Achillea millefolium, commonly known as yarrow, is a hardy and adaptable perennial celebrated for its feathery, aromatic foliage and wide, flattened flower heads that bring vibrant colour and texture to the garden. A staple in cottage, wildlife-friendly, and naturalistic planting schemes, it provides long-lasting blooms and is remarkably easy to grow.
At a Glance
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Common Name: Yarrow
Foliage Colour: Grey-green, finely divided
Flower Colour: Varies from white to shades of pink, red, and yellow depending on the variety
Height: 90cm (3ft)
Spread: 60cm (2ft)
Flowering Time: May to September
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, light to moderately fertile soil
Fine Foliage and Vibrant Flowers
Achillea millefolium is known for its finely cut, fern-like foliage which creates a soft, textural base for its sturdy flowering stems. From early summer through to early autumn, it produces clusters of small flowers arranged in broad, flat umbels. Depending on the cultivar, the blooms can range from classic white to pastel pinks, deep reds, and sunny yellows. These upright flowers add structure and colour without overwhelming nearby plants.
Pollinator-Friendly and Wildlife Value
The nectar-rich flowers are a favourite with bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. As a result, Achillea millefolium is an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and wildflower-inspired planting schemes. Its foliage can also help deter some garden pests, adding to its practical benefits.
Drought Tolerant and Low Maintenance
This is a tough and unfussy plant that thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soils. Once established, it requires very little maintenance and performs reliably year after year. Its strong stems mean it rarely needs staking, and it remains upright even in exposed locations.
Growing Advice
Watering: Water regularly during the first season to help establish roots. Once established, Achillea millefolium is drought tolerant and only needs watering in prolonged dry spells.
Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy growth and flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which can cause excessive leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning: Deadhead spent flower heads regularly to extend the flowering period. Cut back the whole plant to ground level in autumn or leave seed heads for winter interest and wildlife benefit, removing old growth in early spring.
Dividing: Divide every 2–3 years in spring or early autumn to maintain vigour, prevent overcrowding, and refresh the plant.
Positioning: Best grown in full sun in well-drained soil. Tolerates poor, sandy, or chalky soils but dislikes heavy, wet ground, especially in winter.
Potted: Yes, Achillea millefolium can be grown in pots. Choose a large container with good drainage holes and use a gritty, loam-based compost. Place the container in a sunny spot and water when the top of the compost feels dry. Container plants may benefit from regular feeding during the growing season and may need protection in very cold or wet winters.
Tough and Versatile
Achillea millefolium is one of the most versatile and resilient perennials you can grow. It fits effortlessly into a wide range of garden styles—from prairie-style planting to traditional cottage gardens—and works beautifully in combination with ornamental grasses and other late-season bloomers.
Perfect Companions
Pair Achillea millefolium with:
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Echinacea purpurea – for a bold, wildlife-friendly pairing
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Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’ – for soft, trailing colour and pollinator appeal
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Stipa tenuissima – for light texture and movement
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Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ – for a cheerful, soft yellow contrast
Why Choose Achillea millefolium?
With its long flowering season, pollinator value, and ease of care, Achillea millefolium is a must-have for any sunny garden. Whether in a border or large container, it offers dependable summer colour, fine foliage, and outstanding resilience in tough conditions—perfect for beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.
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£9.99 |