YARROW
Yarrow (Achillea) is a diverse and resilient perennial herb known for its ornamental value and varied uses in landscaping. While it's commonly recognized for its wild white or yellow flowers, ornamental yarrow encompasses a wide range of cultivars, each offering unique colors, shapes, and sizes.
Ornamental Varieties:
Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea 'Moonshine'): Renowned for its vibrant, lemon-yellow flower heads and silvery-green foliage, Moonshine Yarrow is a popular choice in gardens and borders.
Strawberry Seduction Yarrow (Achillea 'Strawberry Seduction'): This cultivar flaunts intense red flowers atop fern-like foliage, adding a bold burst of color to the landscape.
Saucy Seduction Yarrow (Achillea 'Saucy Seduction'): With clusters of bright rose-pink flowers, this variety thrives in sunny locations, attracting pollinators like butterflies.
Paprika Yarrow (Achillea 'Paprika'): Featuring fiery red flowers and aromatic, fern-like leaves, Paprika Yarrow is a captivating addition to gardens and bouquets.
Coronation Gold Yarrow (Achillea 'Coronation Gold'): Known for its flat, golden-yellow flower heads and sturdy stems, this variety adds a touch of elegance to flower beds. This is the variety that we typically carry at Lakeside.
Characteristics:
Color Palette: Ornamental yarrow comes in various shades, including yellow, gold, red, pink, and even bi-colors.
Height and Habit: Heights range from dwarf varieties suitable for borders to taller selections ideal for the back of flower beds. Their feathery foliage and flat-topped flower clusters offer texture and visual interest.
Adaptability: Yarrow is hardy and can tolerate diverse soil conditions, including poor or dry soils. It thrives in full sun and is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
Wildlife Attraction: Yarrow's nectar-rich flowers entice pollinators like bees and butterflies while repelling deer and rabbits due to their aromatic foliage.
Landscaping Uses:
Borders and Edging: Low-growing yarrow varieties are excellent for defining borders or edging pathways.
Cut Flowers: Yarrow blooms make stunning additions to fresh or dried flower arrangements.
Pollinator Gardens: Their nectar-rich blooms attract and support a wide array of beneficial insects, making them valuable in pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Maintenance:
Pruning: Deadheading spent blooms promotes continuous flowering and prevents self-seeding, keeping yarrow in check.
Division: Every few years, divide overcrowded clumps to rejuvenate plants and maintain their vigor.
Ornamental yarrow varieties offer a vibrant spectrum of colors, easy maintenance, and versatility, making them prized additions to gardens, attracting pollinators while providing aesthetic appeal.