Common Yarrow - Achillea millefolium (Image used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation license, Version 1.2)

Common Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, is a weed that grows in patches in many areas of the United States.  You are probably already familiar with Yarrow.  It has been bred and selected to have many, usually pastel colored flowers.  In the wild, however, white is the predominate color while pink is rare.

In all but the most manicured of lawns, Yarrow often grows undetected.  Mowing helps to keep it short and prostrate in form.  The plant easily spreads itself via underground rhizomes.  If left to flourish in a field or roadside, one little seedling can become a large clump within a few seasons.  Because of its hardiness, Yarrow can be difficult to erridicate from your lawn or garden if you so desire.

In the recent past, we have begun to use Common Yarrow in our garden both as a specimen plant and as a cut flower.  During the spring, when the small plants appear in the lawn, you can consider transplanting them into the garden.  You can also do as we did and head off into open fields or mountain sides to locate plants.

I like to first establish the plants in pots or cell packs.  Yarrow is a durable plant that thrives in most soil conditions.  Therefore, you can use any soil in your small containers.  Purchasing a potting mix is an option but not necessary.

As you dig Yarrow, you will see many small plants connected together or to a mother plant via the rhizomes.  Simply cut into individual plants that have decent roots and transplant them into your containers.  Water the yarrow as you would any other potted plant.  In a few weeks you should have some nice transplants ready for the garden.

Keep in mind that Yarrow can be very prolific and needs plenty of room to spread.  I recommend 18″ apart in full sun or partial shade.  If the clumps of plants get too overgrown, its easy to either dig some of it up or spray with an herbicide if that is your preference.  Chances are, if you’ve found Yarrow growing locally, you will have no trouble in getting it to perenialize in your garden as well.

If you decide to grow Common Yarrow you will enjoy years of inexpensive long stemmed flowers that make great arrangements alone or with other cut flowers.  Yarrow also dries well.  Just tie a bundle together by the stems and hang upside down in a dry location.

Happy gardening!

-Thomas