Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a perennial plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium).
This plant has several common names including: common yarrow, devil’s nettle, hundred-leaved grass, lace plant, milfoil, nosebleed, nose pepper, old man’s pepper, sanguinary, savory tea, soldier’s woundwort, thousand-leaf, thousand-seal or thousand weed.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common yarrow, devil’s nettle, hundred-leaved grass, lace plant, milfoil, nosebleed, nose pepper, old man’s pepper, sanguinary, savory tea, soldier’s woundwort, thousand-leaf, thousand-seal, thousand weed
Scientific name: Achillea millefolium
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Spreading / Branched
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Informal Garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife Gardens
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – AnRo0002, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.
They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.
Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.
But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.
Other types of Achillea to consider:
See all Achillea
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Achillea millefolium likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – Канопус Киля, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
