Yarrow (Achillea)
[ah-KILL-lee-ah]

Deciduous Perennial in the Asteraceae Family

About Yarrows

Achillea, or Yarrow, is so named because Achilles allegedly used this plant to speed his wounded soldiers’ healing during the Trojan War. 

Yarrow thrives in full sun with feathery leaves and lacey, flat caps of flowers that come in bright yellow, hot pink, white, orange, and red. 

They make beautiful cut flowers and have a peppery, sharp smell that is unique but not unpleasant. Yarrow is favorite insect repellents. Its natural oils are known to repel mosquitos. 

In the right conditions, these plants lend gorgeous, long-lasting pops of color to the garden and are a crowd favorite for good reason. 

Pros

  • Wide range of colors
  • Sun-loving
  • Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Great cut flower

Cons

  • Will not tolerate shade
  • Susceptible to Powdery Mildew (Water the soil instead of the foliage and give them space to grow for air flow will help prevent diseases.)
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 36 inches tall. 18 - 24 inches wide.
Sun Exposure Full Sun - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium: As a drought-tolerant plant, the common yarrow does not need much water to thrive. Limit summer watering to no more than once a month.
Zones 3a - 9b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Extended Bloom Time, Fast Growth Rate, Formal Garden, Fragrant Flowers, Fragrant Foliage, Full Sun, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Cottage Garden, Good for Cut Flowers, Low Maintenance, Medium, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Normal Soil, Perennial, Prairie Garden, Rabbit Resistant, Repels Unwanted Insects, Showy Flowers, Thrillers, Tolerant of Clay Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Poor Soil, Tolerant of Salt, Tolerant of Sandy Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
 

Rankings
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

Butterfly milkweed, rudbeckia daisies, purple coneflower and native grasses.

Photos of This with...

Goat's Beard, Spider Salmon with Dark Eye Gerbera Daisy, Short 'n Sassy Sneezeweed, The Rocket Leopard Plant, Green Carpet Japanese Pachysandra, Shenandoah Switch Grass, Blue Hill Wood Sage, Periwinkle
 

Yarrow Available Now

Moonshine Yarrow
(Achillea 'Moonshine')
From $8.33

Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium)
From $15.85

Strawberry Seduction Yarrow
(Achillea 'Strawberry Seduction')
From $10.65

Paprika Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'Paprika')
From $10.81

Terracotta Yarrow
(Achillea 'Terracotta')
From $7.88

Walther Funcke Yarrow
(Achillea 'Walther Funcke')
From $8.72

Oertel's Rose Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'Oertel's Rose')
From $10.81

New Vintage Violet Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'New Vintage Violet')
From $10.65

New Vintage Rose Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'New Vintage Rose')
From $10.65

New Vintage White Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'Balvinwite' NEW VINTAGE WHITE)
From $10.25

Desert Eve Deep Rose Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'Desert Eve Deep Rose')
From $7.96

Peter Cottontail Yarrow
(Achillea ptarmica 'Peter Cottontail')
From $11.74
Crazy Little Thing Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium 'Crazy Little Thing')
From $17.78

© North Shore Plant Club 2025. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?

Login

About Ordering From The Plant Club

To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

Shoot us an email at help@northshoreplantclub.com, and we'll be happy to talk about plants or let you know when it's time to buy them!