Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: western yarrow, common yarrow

Family: Asteraceae (Aster)

Distribution: North America, Central America, Eurasia

Habitat: Disturbed areas

Hardiness: USDA Zone 2 (-50 to -40 °F)

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Occurrence in New Mexico: New Mexico native plant

Growing Conditions: Western yarrow is an often seen forb in subalpine conifer forests in New Mexico. Plants found commonly in pastures, meadows, roadsides, along streams, in woodlands, and on waste grounds are likely a complex of both native and introduced plants and their hybrids. Western yarrow grows in full sun in dry or sandy soils, as well as damp, clay, and salty soils, at elevations from sea level to 12,000 feet. It can be aggressive in the garden; therefore, is best grown in dry, impoverished soil in natural areas where it will survive with little maintenance.

Invasive/Aggressive characteristics: Plants spread aggressively by rhizomes and self-seeding, forming large colonies.

Description: Common yarrow is a rhizomatous, spreading, upright or mat-forming herb that grows up to 3 feet tall and has stems that branch near the top. The leaves are 3-5 inches long, alternately arranged and fern-like. Flowerheads are arranged in large, compact clusters (corymbs) at the tops of the stems. The yellowish-white flowerhead is composed of disc flowers and ray flowers. All parts of the plant are aromatic. In North America, Achillea millefolium is a highly variable complex of both native and introduced plants and their hybrids.