On many roadsides, the yarrow (Achillea) brightens up the green of the meadows in midsummer with its often white, attractive flowers. Since the plant is not only a perennial flowering plant, but also a popular medicinal plant, growing it in the garden is worthwhile in two respects.
When and where should you plant yarrow?
Yarrows can be planted in spring or autumn and sown between April and June. They prefer sunny, warm locations with a deep layer of humus and are suitable for rock gardens, wild herb beds and tall bedding perennials.
Where do you get plants for your own garden?
If you want to dig up roots of perennial plants from the edge of a fodder meadow, you should first ask the property owner for permission. The many colorful species of yarrow are now available in specialist plant shops (€1.00 on Amazon) and as seeds.
Which location do yarrow prefer?
Yarrow thrives particularly well in warm and sunny locations. The soil can also be relatively dry, as these plants cope better with short dry phases than with persistent waterlogging. When choosing a location in the garden, you should also pay attention to the height of the respective species:
- Low yarrows are good for rock gardens
- Medium-tall yarrows look good in wild shrub beds
- Tall species can remain as bedding perennials even in winter (with dried inflorescences)
Since yarrow has very deep roots, there should be as deep a layer of humus as possible.
When should yarrow be planted or sown?
Basically, the plants can be transplanted well in spring or autumn. Ideally, seeds are sown directly outdoors between the beginning of April and the beginning of June and are only lightly pressed into the soil, as they germinate in light. When sowing, make sure there is a distance of around 25 centimeters between the individual specimens so that the plants can develop well.
When do yarrows bloom?
Yarrows generally bloom very persistently, the range of flowering times usually ranges from around May to September, depending on altitude, location and weather.
When are yarrow harvested for consumption or natural medicinal purposes?
Since the yarrow has relatively tear-resistant parts, scissors should be used when harvesting if possible. The flowers in particular are often dried in order to use them to make teas. In July and August the leaves also contain a particularly high proportion of essential oils.
Tip
The yarrow tends to age after a few years in one location, which is why it should be divided regularly. As part of the division, you may be able to obtain cuttings of regionally proven types of yarrow from hobby gardener friends.
