The delicate clusters of lacy blooms on white yarrow always remind me of baby’s breath - but I would prefer a pot of this perennial native to a bouquet of cut flowers any day! Their delicate, feathery leaves have a pleasant smell when crushed. If you look closely at the tiny white flowers, you will notice that each “flower” is actually many - a composite of many small flowers in a disk at the center, surrounded by five ray flowers that appear as petals.

Yarrow’s genus name Achillea refers to Achilles, the hero of the Trojan Wars in Greek mythology, who used the plant to stop bleeding and to heal the wounds of his soldiers. Yarrow has also historically been used to break fevers by increasing perspiration and by Native Americans to make tea for stomach disorders. I would caution you that chewing the leaf will make your mouth go numb, perhaps one reason why it is fairly resistant to deer predation.

Pollinator Profile: Common Buckeye Butterfly

Common buckeye butterflies (Junonia coenia) feed on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants, but seem to favor those in the aster family, including yarrow. This butterfly, shown in the digital drawing above, was given its name in reference to the eyespots on its wings apparently looking like those of a deer.

Check out the information below to see if this native might be a good fit for your yard!

Bloom time: June - September

Height: 2'-3' H

Cultivation: Native Virginia perennial. Full sun, part shade. Dry soil, or at least needs very good drainage. Seeds can be direct sown. Collect entire flower heads and dry in paper bag before cleaning. Can be propagated with root division. Plants spread aggressively by roots and self seeding, creating substantial colonies if left unchecked. Divide every 2 or 3 years in a garden situation.

Pollination/Insect Interaction: Nectar and pollen of flowers attract a wide variety of insects, including bees, wasps, flies, beetles, butterflies, moths, and true bugs. Grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids feed on the flower heads and a host of other insects feed on other plant parts.

Other Wildlife Interaction: Mammals generally avoid the aromatic foliage, although overwintering leaves are eaten occasionally by rabbits.