Yarrow - Plant Care - The Roaming Gnome

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Sunlight

Full sun, 6+ hrs

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Water

Low, drought-tolerant

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Type

Perennial (zones 3–9)

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Soil

Average to poor, well-drained

Yarrow is a perennial in Minnesota (zones 3–9) — extremely cold-hardy and long-lived.
Bloom time: Early to midsummer (June–July in Minnesota), often with a second flush in late summer if cut back after the first bloom.
Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily). It needs sun to bloom well and stay upright.
Soil: Average to lean, well-drained soil. Yarrow actually does best in less fertile conditions — rich soil leads to floppy stems and fewer flowers. Excellent for dry or sandy spots.
Transplanting: Plant in spring after the last frost. Plant at the same depth as in the pot.
Watering: Water to establish, then largely leave it alone. Yarrow is one of the most drought-tolerant perennials available. Overwatering and soggy soil are its main enemies.
Fertilization: Skip it. Lean soil is what yarrow wants.

These plants were grown from seed this year. Seed-grown yarrow typically blooms in its second year; year one is for root establishment.
I'm growing three colors: red, white, and gold — each is a slightly different cultivar but all care identically.
After the first bloom, cut flower stems back partway to encourage reblooming.
Yarrow spreads by rhizomes and can get aggressive over time. Divide every 2–3 years in spring to keep it in bounds.
Excellent dried flower — cut just as blooms open and hang upside down. The color holds well.
Deer-resistant and attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps.