Yarrow 'Moonshine'

Sun

Full sun; shade encourages weak stems and fewer flowers.

Water

Water regularly during establishment, then only during prolonged dry spells. Avoid persistently wet soil, especially in winter.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gravelly or loamy soil; tolerates poor soil and a broad pH range. Heavy clay needs improved drainage.

Height

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Spread

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Flowers

Lemon-yellow flower heads from late spring through summer, with a possible smaller repeat after cutting back.

Foliage

Finely divided, aromatic, silver-grey leaves forming a low mound; some foliage may persist through mild winters.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.2 ft (0.37 m)

3. After 2 years

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

4. After 3 years

   1.7 ft (0.53 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water at soil level during the first growing season, allowing the surface to dry between waterings.
• Avoid rich manure and routine feeding; excess fertility produces floppy growth.
• Keep the crown clear of damp organic mulch; a light gravel mulch suits dry beds.
• Divide congested clumps every 3-4 years in spring to maintain vigour.
• Provide full sun rather than relying on staking to support weak stems.

Pruning. Cut faded flower stems back to the leafy mound to encourage another flush. Remove remaining dead stems in late winter or early spring without cutting into new basal growth.

Late winter

Remove old flower stems before fresh growth develops.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps in well-drained soil, spacing plants about 1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m) apart.

Late spring

Water new plants during dry weather; check that neighbouring plants are not shading them.

Summer

Cut flowers for arrangements and remove fading heads to encourage repeat flowering.

Autumn

Leave sound stems for structure if desired, but remove diseased foliage.

Winter

Check drainage and keep wet leaves or mulch away from the crown.

• Repeat small groups along the front or middle of a sunny border for a consistent band of yellow.
• Pair with purple-flowered sage or catmint for a strong colour contrast.
• Combine with upright ornamental grasses so the flat flower heads contrast with narrow leaves and airy plumes.
• Use in gravel gardens with lavender and other plants that need sharp drainage.

Garden styles it suits: Cottage garden, New perennial (prairie), Pollinator garden, Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean and Desert / xeriscape.

Plant it with: Lavender, Catmint, Perennial sage, Russian sage, Feather reed grass and Globe thistle.

Wildlife: The open flower heads attract bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. Deer and rabbits often avoid the aromatic foliage, but browsing is still possible.

• Crown or root rot in wet ground: improve drainage or move the plant to a raised, free-draining bed.
• Flopping stems in shade or rich soil: move to full sun and stop feeding.
• Powdery mildew: improve airflow, avoid crowding and remove badly affected foliage.
• Aphids on young shoots: dislodge with a firm spray of water and allow ladybirds and other predators to feed.

Yarrow is toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten; leaves, stems and flowers contain compounds that can cause drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea. In people, sap and foliage can cause contact dermatitis, particularly in those sensitive to the daisy family, and ingestion may cause stomach upset. Do not treat this ornamental cultivar as a culinary herb.

• Fernleaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina)

  Usually much taller, with larger, denser golden-yellow flower heads and greener foliage than the compact, silver-leaved 'Moonshine'.

• Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

  Wild plants usually have white or pale pink flowers, greener foliage and a more spreading habit; 'Moonshine' has lemon-yellow flowers and a tidier silver-grey clump.

Achillea refers to Achilles, who was associated in classical tradition with the medicinal use of yarrow.

Propagation. Divide healthy clumps in spring or take basal cuttings from fresh spring shoots. 'Moonshine' is generally sterile; vegetative propagation preserves the cultivar.

Accepted botanical name

Achillea

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.