SCIENTIFIC NAME: Achillea millefolium

COMMON NAME: Common yarrow

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: alternate, finely dissected, up to 8" long, soft fern-like texture; strongly aromatic, true green

FLOWER: inflorescences 3" across; white, pink, red

SEASON OF BLOOM: spring, summer

GROWTH HABIT: 1-2' upright, vigorously spreading mat (up to 5'), very invasive

SOIL: infertile, well drained

SUN: full; heat and drought tolerant

HARDINESS: zones 3-9

UTILIZATION: groundcover, naturalizing, cut or dry flowers; can be planted on 2' centers, will fill in within one year; grown for centuries as a medicinal plant

DISEASES: powdery mildew, stem rot

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: none serious

PROPAGATION: division, summer stem cuttings, seed

MAINTENANCE: invasive, can easily overtake a bed and will spring up in many places

CULTIVARS: "Summer Pastels" All-America Winner in 1990, flowers pink, white, yellow "Cerise Queen" best of the red flowered cultivars