Yarrow 'Terracotta'

Sun

Full sun; shade encourages weak stems and fewer flowers.

Water

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

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gravelly or loamy soil; tolerates relatively poor soil. Avoid waterlogged clay and heavily enriched beds.

Height

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Spread

1.5-2 ft (0.45-0.6 m)

Flowers

Early summer to early autumn; peach-orange flower clusters fade to yellow and cream, often showing several shades together.

Foliage

Aromatic, finely divided, fern-like grey-green leaves.

Growth

Moderate to fast

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• 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

   1.6 ft (0.49 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.2 ft (0.68 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.5 ft (0.75 m)

   full size

About 2 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

In the garden

Spreads vigorously: plan to contain it.

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply during the first growing season, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Avoid routine feeding; rich soil and excess nitrogen produce floppy growth.
• Keep mulch clear of the crown; gravel mulch suits damp-winter gardens better than thick organic mulch.
• Divide congested clumps every 3-4 years in spring, keeping vigorous outer sections.
• Use discreet supports before flowering if stems lean in exposed positions.

Pruning. Cut faded flowering stems back to leafy growth to encourage another flush. Leave some seedheads for winter structure if wanted, then cut dead stems near ground level in late winter or early spring.

Early spring

Cut down remaining dead stems before new growth lengthens.

Spring

Plant or divide clumps in well-drained soil, and water them in thoroughly.

Late spring

Check for leaning stems and add discreet supports where needed.

Summer

Remove spent flower clusters to encourage repeat flowering.

Late summer

Water established plants only during prolonged drought; avoid keeping the crown wet.

Autumn

Leave selected seedheads standing and check that fallen leaves are not smothering the crown.

• Plant in repeated groups through sunny perennial borders for changing orange, yellow and cream accents.
• Combine with ornamental grasses so the flat flowerheads contrast with upright stems and airy seedheads.
• Pair with blue or violet salvias and catmint for a warm-and-cool colour contrast.
• Use in gravel gardens and dry, sunny beds where drainage is sharp and feeding is minimal.
• Grow in a cutting border for fresh flowers and dried arrangements.

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

Plant it with: Catmint, Perennial salvia, Russian sage, Lavender, Feather reed grass and Coneflower.

Wildlife: The accessible flower clusters attract bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Standing stems provide shelter for small invertebrates.

• Floppy stems: move to full sun, stop nitrogen feeding and divide overcrowded clumps; support stems if necessary.
• Crown or root rot: improve drainage, keep mulch away from the crown and replace badly affected plants in a drier position.
• Powdery mildew: improve spacing and airflow, water at soil level and remove badly affected foliage.
• Aphids: wash colonies from young shoots with water and encourage ladybirds and other natural predators.

Yarrow is toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten; leaves, stems and flowers can cause vomiting or other digestive upset. In people, handling can cause contact dermatitis, particularly in those sensitive to the daisy family, and ingestion may cause illness. Do not use this ornamental cultivar as a culinary herb.

• Yarrow 'Walther Funcke' (Achillea 'Walther Funcke')

  Its flowers generally open a stronger orange-red before fading yellow; 'Terracotta' usually opens in softer peach-orange tones. Faded flowers can be difficult to distinguish, so check the label.

• Fernleaf yarrow (Achillea filipendulina)

  Usually taller, with larger, denser golden-yellow flowerheads that lack the peach-orange opening colour.

• Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

  Wild forms usually have white or pale pink flowers rather than the orange-to-cream colour sequence of 'Terracotta'.

Achillea refers to Achilles, who was traditionally associated with the plant's use on wounds, while 'Terracotta' describes its warm, earthy flower colour.

Propagation. Divide in spring or take basal cuttings from young shoots in spring. Seed does not reliably produce plants identical to 'Terracotta'. Remove unwanted spreading shoots if the clump exceeds its space.

Accepted botanical name

Achillea

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