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Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Flower of Myth and Healing
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Sep 21, 2005 - 12:07:00 PM
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is one of my favorite plants for gardening. Although it is to some extent maligned by gardeners as a weed, especially in Europe, it remains hugely popular with gardeners throughout the world. It’s true that yarrow can spread quickly, but with a little maintenance, it will rarely get out of control.
In my garden, I’ve got about five varieties of yarrow, with the flowers varying in color from white, to rose, to yellow. Additionally, whenever I go hiking in the mountains near my home, I can appreciate yarrow growing in the wild. In fact, I’ve seen yarrow growing in the wild anywhere from Canada to mountains surrounding Mexico City!
From my research, I found that yarrow is actually native to Asia and Europe and was brought to the United States by early colonists. However, there is some debate if a yarrow native to the Americas exists. A. lanulosa and A. occidentalis are thought to be possible native yarrows.
I enjoy yarrow also because of its fascinating botanical history and its medicinal properties. Historically, it has been used to help with anything from depression to baldness, although it was most commonly used to slow bleeding and sterilize shallow wounds. It is also rumored that the colonists in the U.S. used it to flavor and clarify beer!
For the ancient Romans, it was particularly popular as was given the name “herba militaris” for its healing properties during wartime. Yarrow is even mentioned in Greek myth, as Achilles was said to have used yarrow to cure the wounds of his soldiers. (Incidentally, that’s how Yarrow got its scientific name.) For home remedies, it is useful in a salve for scratches, cuts and bruises. It is also said to work in a tea for an upset stomach. Yarrow also has uses for ritual and magic, and is sometimes used for the I-Ching.
If you’re interested in using yarrow for medicinal purposes, the herbalist information I consulted recommended using the common white yarrow species rather than one of the ornamental cultivars.
Yarrow is considered an herbaceous perennial. It has tiny flowers that resemble daisies forming from round corymbs. I’ve read that there are somewhere around 100 species of yarrow and a huge diversity of cultivars out there, with many different colors of flowers and foliage. The flowers are usually white, but there are many different cultivars with vibrant colored flowers. “White Beauty” is a common white cultivar, with striking bright white flowers. Popular cultivars with unusual flower colors include “Lilac Beauty” with lavender flowers, “Moonshine” with bright yellow flowers and “Fire King,” with red flowers.
The foliage is said to look like feathers as the leaves grow lacey and fern-like. However, there are yarrows that have very distinct foliage. The foliage can vary in color from deep green to powdery and gray. The foliage is lightly and pleasantly aromatic.
Yarrow grows from underground rhizomes (underground reproductive storage units similar to bulbs). See this site for information on rhizomes and bulbs: Flower Gardening Tips. It can grow up to 3 feet tall with the flower clusters spreading to about 3 inches in diameter. Some cultivars have larger flower clusters.
Yarrow grows in hardiness zones 3 – 9, although some cultivars may have a more limited range. Plant your yarrow in full sun and in well-draining soil. Yarrow tolerates a variety of soil conditions including sandy and poor quality soils. Regular watering is necessary until the plant gets established. After time, yarrow can be become drought tolerant. Note that extreme heat may weaken your plant.
Yarrow looks great in wildflower or xeric gardens. They can serve as a groundcover as they can spread quickly through their rhizomes.
Click here for more information on the history and uses of yarrow .
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