This European strain of common yarrow—often called Yarrow Official—was selected for its high essential oil content and long use in traditional gardens. It grows upright with slender green to gray-green leaves and flat-topped clusters of white flowers on tall stems. It blooms generously from early summer into fall and spreads steadily, which is part of what makes it so useful.
Yarrow is one of those plants that’s easy to grow and gives a lot—flowers, pollinators, medicine, and beauty.
WHY PEOPLE HAVE GROWN YARROW FOR CENTURIES
Traditionally, yarrow was grown close to home because it was relied on for:
- Wound care and bleeding control
- Digestive and stomach support
- Fever and cold remedies
- Circulatory tonics
It was carried by travelers, planted near doorways, and kept in cottage gardens because people trusted it.
IN THE GARDEN
Yarrow Official is a true multi-use plant:
- Host plant for butterfly caterpillars
- Nectar source for butterflies and bees
- Long-lasting summer flowers
- Works in wild, cottage, and formal gardens
- Excellent fresh or dried
GREAT FOR:
- Medicinal and heritage gardens
- Pollinator gardens
- Meadow and cottage gardens
- Dry and low-water landscapes
HOW IT GROWS
- Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
- Sun: Full sun is best
- Soil: Well-drained soil, even poor or rocky soil
- Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Hardiness: Zones 3–9
- Growth habit: Upright and spreading
Yarrow actually prefers lean soil. Too much fertilizer makes it floppy and short-lived.
PLANTING TIPS
- Plant in full sun for best flowers and strong stems
- Space plants so air can move between them
- Avoid rich compost-heavy soil—simple garden soil is perfect.
- Water well the first few weeks, then reduce—depending on soil and climate. Slow, deep watering encourages deep roots= healthier, more resilient plant.
CARE MADE EASY
- Deadhead or cut flowers often to keep blooms coming
- Trim back after a big bloom to refresh growth
- Divide clumps when they get crowded
- Water during long dry spells, but don’t overdo it
HARVESTING FOR USE
- Harvest flowering tops at full bloom
- Cut in the morning after dew dries
- Dry in small bundles in a shady, airy place
- Store in jars away from light
SIZE & BLOOM
- Height: ~2½–3 ft
- Spread: ~2 ft
- Flower color: White
- Bloom time: Summer to early fall
HOW TO KNOW IT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
Choose Yarrow Official if you:
- Want an easy, forgiving plant
- Love plants with real history
- Garden in sunny, dry soil
- Enjoy multi-purpose plants
