Yarrow, by Sheryl Kleinschmidt, Somervell County Master Gardener
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is actually in the herb family and is a very beneficial plant. I, personally, have tended to a large clump of yarrow in one of Glen Rose’s downtown planters for years, so have some first-hand knowledge of its habits.
This plant is very hardy, growing up to four feet tall with large, showy clumps of flowers that range from white and red to yellow. The flowers have a pleasing scent that attracts beneficial insects such as predatory wasps, hoverflies, ladybugs and butterflies.
One idiosyncrasy of yarrow is that when planted next to other aromatic plants, it helps strengthen the scent of its companions.
Yarrow is a very hardy perennial that will tolerate poor, dry soil. But, it will not tolerate shade, as I found when I transplanted some to my yard. It was a quick demise………..
Pruning yarrow after the first killing frost is key. It also thrives upon being divided in early spring. To remain vibrant, it needs to be divided every 3-4 years. Yarrow can grow from seed, but it is very simple to grow from division plants, so why bother?
To be sure, the yarrow plant is an invasive, so don’t plant it where it is not wanted.
Yarrow leaves are known to activate compost piles, so when you prune, toss those leaves into your composter (or pile) and watch things take off.
Guess what? You can eat yarrow, and it’s good for you– if you can stand the bitter taste. Some folks toss the leaves into salads and some use it as a seasoning. Health gurus claim that it is good for the liver and as an anti-inflammatory.
Apparently, the leaves can be used to stop bleeding (a styptic), and some naturalists make yarrow poultices and teas to reduce swelling.
All-in-all, yarrow is a great plant to have, and its fern-like leaves and large flowers are pleasing to the eye!
References: Texas Wildflowers by Campbell and Loughmiller National Gardening Association; “Mother Earth Living” (March/April 2016)