Western Yarrow

Biological Name:

Achillea millefolium (Western-Yarrow)

Natural Habitat:

Western yarrow is a type of flowering plant that is native to Western North America. It is typically found in areas with moist soils, such as meadows, fields, and along streambanks.

Description:

Western-Yarrow is a perennial herb that is native to North America. It has small white flowers and fern-like leaves. It is often found in dry open areas and is used in traditional medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is western yarrow poisonous?
A: The leaves and flowers contain volatile oils, alkaloids, and glycosides that are considered toxic, but the plant is seldom overgrazed and eaten in large enough quantities to be harmful to foraging animals.
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Q: Why is yarrow a problem?
A: However, yarrow becomes a problem when a paddock is cultivated and a crop sown. The rhizome system allows the yarrow to survive cultivation, so the re-establishing plants cause major competition problems with crop plants. Likewise, yarrow is commonly found in turf.
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Q: Are yarrow plants toxic to dogs?
A: Yarrow is toxic for dogs to ingest. Many times a dog will not stop eating a plant just because it tastes bad. The symptoms of Yarrow poisoning in a dog include vomiting, diarrhea, scratching or rash, and increased urination.
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Q: Who shouldnt use yarrow?
A: Yarrow may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Pregnant women should not take yarrow. Its ability to relax the smooth muscle of the uterus could cause miscarriage. At least one study found that yarrow was associated with reduced fetal weight in rats.
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Q: Is yarrow toxic to dogs and cats?
A: Earlier it was mentioned that Yarrow is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The toxic principles found in Yarrow are achilleine and alkaloids.
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Q: Does yarrow grow back every year?
A: Yarrow is a herbaceous perennial, and it will come back every year. It also reseeds easily, so if you grow a patch, it should become well established in the area where it is planted.
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Q: Is western yarrow an annual or perennial?
A: White Yarrow, Common Yarrow, Western Yarrow, Yarrow, Milfoil. Achillea millefolium (White Yarrow) is a graceful perennial wildflower that produces an abundance of huge, flat clusters, 5 in.
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Q: Do yarrow come back every year?
A: Yarrow is a herbaceous perennial, and it will come back every year. It also reseeds easily, so if you grow a patch, it should become well established in the area where it is planted.
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Q: Does yarrow spread quickly?
A: How to Plant Yarrow. Space the plants 1 to 2 feet apart. They are quick to establish and spread, though some species, like Achillea millefolium, are extra-aggressive growers, so be careful when choosing your plants.
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Q: Should you cut back yarrow after it blooms?
A: You can adjust your care of yarrow plants to promote more compact growth and prevent the stems from falling over. Just prune the plants back by one third after the first set of flowers fade.
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Q: What can you not plant near yarrow?
A: Aster.Bee balm.Purple coneflower.Butterfly weed.Lamb’s ear.Sedum.
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Q: Will yarrow survive winter?
A: Winter Care for Yarrow In milder climates, Yarrow leaves stay green all winter. In colder climates, the foliage will die back with a hard freeze. As the temperature drops, and before the first frost, prune the plant back to the basal leaves, 1-2 inches above the soil line.
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Q: What does yarrow look like in winter?
A: In winter, yarrow looks quite different. The stalk and flowers dry out, turning a dark brown color. Small pockets of seeds are left where the flowers used to be. Often you’ll still see the green, feathery leaves along the base of the plant, ready to grow again come spring.
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Q: Is yarrow an invasive plant?
A: Common yarrow is a weedy species and can become invasive. Proper care should be used to control the spread of the plant from its desired growing location.
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Q: Does yarrow dieback in winter?
A: Winter Care for Yarrow In milder climates, Yarrow leaves stay green all winter. In colder climates, the foliage will die back with a hard freeze. As the temperature drops, and before the first frost, prune the plant back to the basal leaves, 1-2 inches above the soil line.
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Q: Do I cut back yarrow in the fall?
A: Cutting back yarrow will help maintain plant health and vitality, as it will encourage new growth with stronger stems with the potential for additional fall blooms. Prune back to the basal leaves again in late fall or early winter. The basal leaves will help protect the yarrow plant during the winter.
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Q: How do you stop yarrow from spreading?
A: Pull the yarrow plants up by hand if they are small and you can remove most or all of the root system. For larger specimens, use a digging fork or shovel to uproot the plant. Remove all of the root system and avoid breaking it, as new yarrow plants can grow from even small sections of rhizome.
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Q: Does the yarrow plant like sun or shade?
A: Once established, yarrow is highly drought tolerant, making it an excellent plant for low-maintenance, dry gardens. While it tolerates some shade, yarrow will do best in full sun. It will be more prone to flopping stems in any less light.
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Q: What is a good companion for yarrow?
A: This yarrow is at home with other meadow or prairie plants such as: butterfly milkweed, rudbeckia daisies, purple coneflower and native grasses. If this species is not available other prairie or meadow plants can be substituted.
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Q: Is yarrow toxic to dogs?
A: Yarrow is toxic for dogs to ingest. Many times a dog will not stop eating a plant just because it tastes bad. The symptoms of Yarrow poisoning in a dog include vomiting, diarrhea, scratching or rash, and increased urination.
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About the author

Samuel is a gardening professional and enthusiast who has spent over 20 years advising homeowners and farm owners on weed identification, prevention and removal. He has an undergraduate degree in plant and soil science from Michigan State University.