Yarrow Summer Pastels

Surprisingly, no. Yarrow Achillea millefolium is a plant that thrives in poorer soils. Excessive fertilizing is rather harmful – the plant would grow vigorously, but the stems would be leggy, weak, and tend to flop over. The flowers would be less intense. For common garden growing, fertilizing is generally not necessary.

The recommended planting distance is 35 cm. This corresponds to approximately 8 plants per square meter. Yarrow grows in clumps and spreads over time via underground runners, so this spacing ensures that the growth connects nicely, but the plants won't compete too much.

Immediately after planting the seedlings, it is necessary to water the plants regularly until they root well. However, once the Yarrow establishes itself (which you can tell by new growth), it becomes very drought-tolerant.

It then requires watering only during periods of prolonged drought. Be careful of waterlogging – excessive moisture harms it more than a lack of water.

If you cut back the plant after the first main flowering (June/July), you will encourage the setting of new buds and the plant will often bloom for you again in late summer or autumn. If you want to let the plant go to seed or use its winter effect, do not cut the last autumn flowers.

Yes, early in the spring (before new leaves start sprouting), it is advisable to remove all old, dry stems from last year close to the ground. This will make room for new, healthy, grey-green leaves that will start sprouting soon.

Yarrow is a sun lover, so choose a fully sunny location for it. In the shade, the plants would stretch their stems, flower less, and lose their compact shape. Regarding soil, it requires earth that is:

• Permeable
• Sandy or loamy
• Rather poor in nutrients

It also thrives excellently in gravel beds or dry walls. Heavy and waterlogged clay soils are not suitable for it.

This variety is prized for its beautiful and changing range of soft pastel shades. Flowers in these colors may appear in your flowerbed:

• Creamy white and vanilla
• Lemon yellow
• Peach and salmon
• Soft pink to raspberry
• Terracotta and bronze

The colors also change slightly and fade as they finish blooming, creating a beautiful visual effect.

Yes, Yarrow is not poisonous. On the contrary, it is a known medicinal and edible plant. Young leaves can be used in the kitchen in salads or soups (they have a spicy taste) and tea can be prepared from the flowers. It is safe for pets and children, although consuming large amounts of the raw plant is not recommended due to strong aromatic substances.

Yarrow offers winter interest, meaning that even after flowering and drying out, the stems and flower heads remain sturdy and decorative. If you don't cut them back in autumn, they look beautiful covered in frost or snow and provide shelter for small insects. You can simply remove the old stems in early spring.

Definitely. Common Yarrow is a native wild perennial with extreme cold hardiness. The Summer Pastels variety falls into zone 2b, which means it can withstand frosts down to -40 °C to -45 °C. It handles winter in our conditions completely without issues and requires no protection whatsoever.

This variety grows to a height of 60 to 80 cm. This makes it suitable for the middle sections of perennial beds, where it creates a beautiful colorful tier between lower borders and tall specimen plants.

Yes, the flat flower heads of Yarrow act as perfect landing pads for insects. The plant is a major attraction for bees, butterflies, bumblebees, and other pollinators. By planting Yarrow, you will significantly boost biodiversity in your garden.

Yarrow is generally a very healthy and resilient plant. Occasionally, however, there may occur:

• Aphids: Especially on young shoots.
• Powdery mildew: A white coating on leaves, which appears mainly if the plant is in a bad location (shade, poor air circulation) or in excessive drought at the end of summer.

By choosing a sunny and airy place correctly, you will prevent most problems.

Yarrow is a clumping perennial that spreads sideways using underground runners. If you want to multiply the plant, the easiest way is dividing the clumps, ideally done in spring or autumn. The plant also likes to self-seed if you let the seeds ripen directly in the flowerbed.

Stem flopping is most often caused by two factors:

1. Lack of sun: The plant stretches for light and the stems are weak.
2. Too fertile soil or over-fertilization: In rich soil, Yarrow grows too fast and soft.

The solution is transplanting to a sunnier place with poorer soil, or providing no fertilizer.

Yes, Yarrow Summer Pastels is an excellent flower for cutting. Cut the stems at the moment when the tiny flowers in the flat inflorescence are fully open, but not yet starting to turn brown. It lasts fresh in a vase for approximately 10 days. It is also great for drying in dried arrangements because it holds its shape and color well.